Overview:

The U.S. Under-17 women’s national team recorded a 6-1 Group E victory over Kenya to qualify for the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup on Thursday.

SALE, Morocco – The U.S. Under-17 women’s national team recorded a 6-1 Group E victory over Kenya to qualify for the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup on Thursday.

The USA’s win, combined with China PR’s 7-0 victory over Samoa, ensured that the Americans will finish no lower than second in the group, which guarantees a spot in the knockout rounds.

With spots in the Round of 16 already secured for both teams, the U.S. will finish group play against China PR on Oct. 26 here (2 p.m. ET on FS2, Peacock and Telemundo Deportes). A win or draw will give the USA the group title. If that happens, it would be the third time in eight tournaments that the USA has won its group in this competition. If the USA defeats China PR, it would be the second time the team has won all three group games at the U-17 Women’s World Cup.

After scoring a USYNT, USWNT and FIFA Women’s World Cup record six goals in the USA’s opening game victory over Samoa, forward Maddie DiMaria picked up where she left off, recording a first-half hat-trick. She added one more.

The four goals gave DiMaria 10 for this tournament, not only setting the record for most goals by a player in a FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup tournament but also tying the record for most goals by a USWNT player in a FIFA Women’s World Cup competition at any age level.

DiMaria also became the first U.S. female player to score multiple goals in multiple games at a FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

The Americans scored on their first shot of the game with DiMaria volleying home in the fifth minute off a chipped cross from team captain Amari Manning, who earned her third assist in the tournament.

Forward Carolina Reyna and midfielder Loradana Paletta set up the second goal for DiMaria, who slotted a left-footed shot into the lower right corner from just past the penalty spot in the 22nd minute.

The USA’s third goal, which completed DiMaria’s hat-trick in the 35th minute, came from the penalty spot as she buried her kick after Paletta had been chopped down from behind in the box. The spot kick was not initially awarded, but the USA utilized the Video Support System to protest the call, and it was given after review.

The fourth goal came in the same manner. This time DiMaria was taken down in the box after taking the ball from Paletta. Again there was no call, and again the USA protested via VSS. The penalty was given, and DiMaria smashed it into the net for a 4-0 lead in first-half stoppage time.

The Americans’ first goal of the second half came early as Paletta used her dribbling skills to weave her way through a pack of Kenya defenders before finishing from just outside the six-yard box.

Forward Gianna Hanf, who had come on for Manning at halftime, added the final goal, taking a pass inside the penalty area from Gigi Zuniga before blasting her shot of the hands of the goalkeeper and into the left side of the net.

Kenya picked up a consolation goal in the fifth and final minute of second-half stoppage time as Lindey Atieno caught U.S. goalkeeper Kathy Long Capell off her line and drove her 36-yard shot into the net.

The USA outshot Kenya 24-8 and scored its five goals in 12 shots on goal.