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

Poland have been drawn in Group A alongside Argentina, Mexico and Benin. They will face Mexico on September 8 before finishing 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 run until September 27, with matches taking place in Katowice, Lodz, Sosnowiec and Bielsko-Biala. The final will be played in Lodz.

North Korea enter the tournament as defending champions after winning the 2024 edition in Colombia. They have been placed in Group E with Colombia, Costa Rica and Portugal. Both North Korea and the United States will be chasing 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.

Infantinos’ visit comes amid continued debate over FIFA governance. His proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, which included the sale of a stake in World Cup commercial rights to private investors, was abandoned on July 31 after facing strong opposition from UEFA and other football stakeholders.

The U-20 Women’s World Cup remains an important stage for emerging talent, giving young players the opportunity to compete against the best in their age group on the international stage. Several participants will also be looking to use the tournament as a stepping stone towards senior international football.

For Poland, the opening fixture offers an opportunity to begin their home tournament against a strong Argentina side. Infantinos’ presence will add significance to the occasion as the 2026 competition gets under way in Katowice.

– Ends

Published By:

Saurabh Kumar

Published On:

Sep 5, 2026 17:00 IST