Gianni Infantino will attend the opening of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland

FIFA President Gianni Infantino will attend the opening match of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Katowice, Poland on Saturday 5 September. The Polish Football Association confirmed his participation in the match between hosts Poland and Argentina.

Poland were drawn in Group A alongside Argentina, Mexico and Benin. They face Mexico on September 8 and finish their group campaign against Benin on September 11.

The 2026 tournament is the 12th edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and will feature 24 teams. The competition will last until September 27, the matches will take place in Katowice, Łódź, Sosnowiec and Bielsko-Biala. The final will be played in Łódź.

North Korea entered the tournament as the defending champions after winning the 2024 edition in Colombia. They were placed in Group E with Colombia, Costa Rica and Portugal. Both North Korea and the United States will be aiming for a record fourth title in the competition.

Mexico and Benin will also meet in Katowice on the opening day. Around 15,000 spectators are expected at the venue, adding to the occasion as Poland hosts its first major global women’s football tournament.

Infantino’s visit comes amid an ongoing debate over FIFA’s governance. His proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise planwhich involved the sale of a stake in the World Cup commercial rights to private investors, was abandoned on 31 July after facing strong opposition from UEFA and other football stakeholders.

The U20 Women’s World Cup remains an important stage for emerging talent, giving young players the opportunity to compete on the international stage against the best in their age group. Several participants will also want to use the tournament as a stepping stone towards senior international football.

For Poland, the opening match offers an opportunity to start the tournament at home against a strong Argentina side. The presence of the Infantinos will add significance to the occasion as the 2026 competition kicks off in Katowice.

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Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

05 Sep 2026 17:00 IST