Spain's U20 World Cup performance underscores the excellent work of Liga F clubs' youth academies
The Spanish national team conquered the U20 World Cup by defeating North Korea 0(4) - 0(3) on penalties. FC Barcelona, Real Madrid CF, Atlético de Madrid, Athletic Club, Deportivo Abanca, Real Sociedad, and Deportivo Alavés were represented at the World Cup event.
28 SEP 2026
The excellent work being done by Liga F Moeve clubs with their academies is bearing fruit for the Spanish senior national team, which is world champion, Nations League champion, and European runner-up, as well as for the junior categories of La Roja, who have just lifted the U20 World Cup. A journey with a happy ending that began on September 7th with a 2-0 victory against Nigeria on the opening matchday. On the second date of Group F, David Aznar's side won 11-0 against New Caledonia to secure qualification for the round of 16. The match that closed the group stage ended in a 3-1 triumph against China. In the knockout stages, La Roja did not concede any goals, winning 2-0 against Portugal in the round of 16, 1-0 against Brazil in the quarter-finals, and 2-0 against Italy in the semi-finals.
In the final, they faced North Korea, a familiar opponent for seven internationals, who in 2024 lost on penalties in the U17 World Cup final. This time, the coin was in their favour, and Spain beat North Korea 0(4) - 0(3) from the penalty spot. "I told them to stay calm, that two years ago football took an opportunity away from them and that today football was going to give it back. That gave them confidence," said David Aznar after a match in which Spain once again touched the sky, retaining their U20 world champions title. Up to seven Liga F Moeve clubs were represented during this tournament. FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF were the two top-flight teams that contributed the most players to the squad, with five footballers each.
The defenders Noa Jiménez, Julia Torres, Aïcha Cámara, Carla Julià, and the forward Rosalía Domínguez were the players currently playing for the first team or in the blaugrana academy. Meanwhile, Laia López, Silvia Cristóbal, Noemí Bejarano, Irune Dorado, and Pau Comendador were the Madrid players who competed in the U20 World Cup. All of them are registered with the first team of the merengue side and have already accumulated minutes in the top flight. Atlético de Madrid, Athletic Club, and Deportivo Abanca follow with two footballers each. In the case of the colchoneras, Natalia Peñalvo and Celia Segura, on loan from FC Barcelona, have become world champions, and Elene Gurtubay and Daniela Agote were the two lions.
Marisa García and Ainoa Gómez, on loan from FC Barcelona, did the same at Deportivo Abanca, while Real Sociedad, with Alazne Estensoro, and Deportivo Alavés, with Amaya García, on loan from Real Madrid CF, were also present at the event. The squad of 21 players is completed by: Anna Álvarez (Levante UD), Cristina Librán (Juventus), who developed at Madrid CFF, and Alba Cerrato (Fiorentina), who was in the Sevilla FC academy. Individual awards also went to La Roja. Rosalía Domínguez, with 1 goal and 2 assists, was the Golden Ball winner of the tournament, Pau Comendador, with 6 goals, was the Golden Boot winner, and Laia López received the Golden Glove after conceding no goals and saving two penalties in the shootout.