{"id":660277,"date":"2025-10-06T02:54:14","date_gmt":"2025-10-06T06:54:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=660277"},"modified":"2025-10-06T02:54:25","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T06:54:25","slug":"u-20-world-cup-spain-france-argentina-round-of-16","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2025\/10\/06\/u-20-world-cup-spain-france-argentina-round-of-16\/","title":{"rendered":"FIFA Rankings Hold True: Spain, France, and Argentina Reach 2025 U-20 World Cup Last 16"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Spain, France, and Argentina currently top the men\u2019s FIFA World Rankings, and all three have justified that billing at youth level as well. These nations \u2014 the clear favorites for the 2026 World Cup \u2014 advanced to the knockout stage of the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, underlining the depth of their youth football development systems.<\/p>\n<h2>Argentina and Japan Complete Perfect Group Stage<\/h2>\n<p>Only two nations finished the group stage with a perfect 3\u20130\u20130 record: Argentina and Japan.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alojapan.com\/1340589\/football-architects-tom-byer-the-american-coach-behind-japans-technical-revolution\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Japan\u2019s rise<\/a> continues at every level. Already the first AFC nation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, Japan\u2019s U-20 side beat Egypt, Chile and New Zealand without conceding. Managed by former J-League player Yuzo Funakoshi, the squad is mostly domestic-based, with three standouts abroad: Rento Takaoka (Valenciennes, on loan from Southampton), Kazunari Kita (Real Sociedad) and Keita Kosugi (Djurg\u00e5rdens).<\/p>\n<p>Argentina \u2014 the most successful nation in U-20 World Cup history with six titles \u2014 topped Group D with nine points and a +6 goal difference. Alejo Sarco (Bayer Leverkusen) has three goals so far, and the squad also includes Bournemouth\u2019s Julio Soler, Porto\u2019s Tom\u00e1s P\u00e9rez and Boca Juniors midfielder Milton Delgado. Even as Lionel Messi\u2019s retirement approaches and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2025\/09\/15\/philippe-coutinho-and-angel-di-maria-remind-fans-of-their-brilliance-with-weekend-magic-in-south-america\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">\u00c1ngel Di Mar\u00eda<\/a> has departed the senior side, Argentina\u2019s pipeline looks well stocked.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"ALEJO SARCO | Welcome To Bayer Leverkusen 2024\/2025  \ud83d\udd34\u26ab Magic Goals, Skills &amp; Assists(HD)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UIMTgTusnwA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Clubs aren\u2019t required by FIFA to release players for the U-20 World Cup, so a number of top talents \u2014 like Spain\u2019s Yamine Lamal and Argentina\u2019s Franco Mastantuono \u2014 remain with their senior teams, already having outgrown the youth level. <a href=\"https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com\/news\/u-20-world-cup-messi-haaland-and-other-stars-who-shined-at-the-youth-fifa-tournament\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lionel Messi did appear<\/a> in this tournament in 2005 and won it.<\/p>\n<h3>Chile, Paraguay and Colombia Showcase South America\u2019s Depth<\/h3>\n<p>Colombia topped a tough group with five points, edging Norway on goal difference. Their squad features Cruzeiro-bound Neiser Villarreal (Millonarios), Botafogo\u2019s Jordan Barrera, Aston Villa\u2019s Yeimar Mosquera, Arsenal goalkeeper Alexei Rojas and Atl\u00e9tico Nacional talents midfielder Elkin Rivero and defender Sim\u00f3n Garc\u00eda. Colombia continues to produce players for leagues abroad as it works to close the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/5763279\/2024\/09\/13\/colombia-modern-rivalry-argentina\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">talent gap<\/a> with Argentina and Brazil.<\/p>\n<p>Paraguay advanced with five points, highlighted by Wolverhampton winger <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2025\/08\/16\/manchester-city-vs-wolves-confirmed-lineups-august\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Enso Gonz\u00e1lez<\/a>. The nation lacks the development scale of other CONMEBOL powers but is steadily improving.<\/p>\n<p>Hosts Chile reached the knockouts with a dramatic 2\u20131 extra-time win over New Zealand. With just three foreign-based players \u2014 including Huesca\u2019s Willy Chatiliez \u2014 Chile\u2019s young side carries the burden of rebuilding after the Golden Generation era <a href=\"https:\/\/footytimes.com\/what-happened-to-chile-football-the-downfall-of-la-roja\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">crashed out<\/a> in 2026 World Cup qualifying.<\/p>\n<h3>USA and Mexico Lead CONCACAF\u2019s Next Wave<\/h3>\n<p>The U.S. topped their group with six points, including a 3\u20130 win over France before a shock loss to South Africa. Parma midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi, an ex-Inter Miami youth product, has been influential, while Borussia Dortmund forward Cole Campbell remains one to watch. Most of the U.S. roster is MLS-academy produced.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Benjamin Cremaschi Highlights - Skills and Goals\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/alYUb3fo71w?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Mexico finished second with five points. Regular Liga MX starters like Pachuca\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2025\/09\/13\/anthony-martial-allan-saint-maximin-new-stars-liga-mx\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Elias Montiel<\/a> and Seattle\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2025\/09\/01\/inter-miami-fails-to-impress-in-a-must-win-game-seattle-sounders-win-2025-leagues-cup\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Obed Vargas<\/a> feature, but the tournament\u2019s breakout is 16-year-old <a href=\"https:\/\/www.soyfutbol.com\/en\/news\/Gilberto-Mora-shines-with-Mexico-in-the-Chile-World-Cup-and-catches-Europes-eye-20251005-0007.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Gilberto Mora<\/a> (Tijuana). Mora, who impressed at the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2025\/06\/30\/upset-minded-sides-look-to-stop-usa-and-mexico-in-2025-gold-cup-semifinals\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">2025 Gold Cup<\/a>, scored twice in a draw with Spain and converted the penalty that beat Morocco \u2014 many regard him as the top CONCACAF youth prospect in decades. He will surely head to Europe when he&#8217;s old enough.<\/p>\n<h3>Ukraine and Other Group-Stage Highlights<\/h3>\n<p>Despite war at home, Ukraine reached the knockouts with seven points. The 2019 champions are led by Danylo Krevsun (Borussia Dortmund) and Kristian Shevchenko (Watford). Gennadiy Synchuk (CF Montr\u00e9al) is among the tournament\u2019s top scorers after his goal vs South Korea.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Gennadiy Synchuk #18 \/ CF Montr\u00e9al\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Vk5TvqjwH1k?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Group C produced Morocco and Spain out of a loaded pool that included Mexico and Brazil. Morocco topped the group with six points, eliminating a struggling Brazil. For Spain, Iker Bravo (Udinese) has been a key attacking figure, backed by talent from Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atl\u00e9tico Madrid academies. Brazil had never previously been eliminated at this stage of the tournament, and all levels of Brazilian men&#8217;s football are undergoing a difficult period, with <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2025\/10\/05\/world-cup-hosts-mexico-usa-and-canada-face-tough-october-friendlies\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Carlo Ancelotti leading a men&#8217;s side<\/a> that has friendlies in Asia next.<\/p>\n<h3>Africa\u2019s Bright Spots: Morocco and South Africa<\/h3>\n<p>Watford\u2019s Othmane Maamma has starred for Morocco, alongside Anderlecht midfielder Anas Tajaouart, defender Ali Maamar and Yassir Zabiri (Famalic\u00e3o), who has already scored twice.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\u0645\u0647\u0627\u0631\u0627\u062a \u0648 \u0623\u0647\u062f\u0627\u0641 \u064a\u0627\u0633\u0631 \u0627\u0644\u0632\u0627\u0628\u064a\u0631\u064a  \u0627\u0644\u0647\u062f\u0627\u0641 \u0627\u0644\u0645\u063a\u0631\u0628\u064a \u0627\u0644\u062c\u062f\u064a\u062f | Yassir zabiri skills  - FHD \u25cf 2024\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/AYyZkDWz_AA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Nigeria reached the knockouts after a 3\u20132 win over Saudi Arabia. South Africa \u2014 on track for 2026 World Cup qualification \u2014 advanced with a mostly domestic squad. France\u2019s side features Elyaz Zidane (Zinedine Zidane\u2019s youngest son) and AS Monaco\u2019s Lucas Michal. Italy advanced despite a surprising draw with Cuba, while Norway remain compact and hard to break down, as Norwegian football is experiencing a <a href=\"https:\/\/kvia.com\/cnn-sports\/2025\/05\/02\/european-fairytale-continues-for-bodo-glimt-the-soccer-team-from-inside-the-arctic-circle\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">golden era at all levels<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Looking Ahead: Round of 16 Matchups<\/h3>\n<p>The Round of 16 sets up several compelling ties. Mexico and Argentina could meet later if both win their openers against Chile and Nigeria. Ukraine faces Spain, with the winner possibly playing Colombia or South Africa. The United States meets Italy, and Morocco appear to have a favourable path through South Korea and then the Italy\/USA winner. Japan vs France is the marquee clash \u2014 the winner heads into a date with Norway or Paraguay.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Semifinals:<\/strong> October 15. <strong>Final:<\/strong> October 19 \u2014 Santiago.<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo Credit: Imago Images Copyright: xLatinxSportxImagesx<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Spain, France, and Argentina currently top the men\u2019s FIFA World Rankings, and all three have justified that billing at youth level as well. These nations \u2014 the clear favorites for the 2026 World Cup \u2014 advanced to the knockout stage of the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, underlining the depth of their youth [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1442,"featured_media":660278,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[161,2,2132],"tags":[979,450,32465,439,32596,32615,32460,437],"class_list":["post-660277","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-international-football","category-featured","category-world-cup","tag-argentina","tag-france","tag-gilberto-mora","tag-spain","tag-spain-national-team","tag-u-20-world-cup","tag-us-mens-national-team","tag-world-cup"],"modified_by":"Steen Kirby","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/660277","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1442"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=660277"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/660277\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":660282,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/660277\/revisions\/660282"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/660278"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=660277"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=660277"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=660277"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}