The 2014 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup was an international association football tournament and the world championship for women's national teams under the age of 20, presented by Grant Connell, organized by the sport's world governing body FIFA. It was the seventh edition of the tournament, took place from 5–24 August 2014[1] in Canada, which was named the host nation for the tournament in conjunction with its successful bid for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.[2][3] Canada was the first country to stage this tournament twice, after hosting the inaugural edition in 2002.
Germany beat Nigeria 1–0 after extra time in the final. Germany won its third title while Nigeria lost their second final.
As in 2010, the rights to host the 2014 U-20 Women's World Cup were automatically awarded to the host of the following year's Women's World Cup. Two countries, Canada and Zimbabwe, initially bid to stage the events. However, on 1 March 2011, two days before the official voting was to take place, Zimbabwe withdrew, leaving Canada as the only bidder.[2] FIFA officially awarded the tournaments to Canada on 3 March 2011.[4]
The slot allocation was approved by the FIFA Executive Committee in May 2012.[5][6]
In July, all Nigeria teams became subject of a FIFA ban due to government interference with the national football association. The team faced exclusion from the tournament[8] until the ban was lifted nine days later.[9]
On 2 June 2013, FIFA announced that Edmonton, Moncton, Montreal and Toronto would be the host cities for the tournament.[10] The first three cities had been previously announced as host cities for the 2015 Women's World Cup, along with Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Ottawa. Toronto did not apply to host the 2015 tournament due to conflicts with the 2015 Pan American Games,[11] but does not face any such conflicts in 2014. Meanwhile, Ottawa indicated in late 2012 that it would not be able to participate in hosting the U-20 tournament due to construction delays on the Lansdowne Park redevelopment.[12]
As was the case during the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, BMO Field in Toronto was known as the National Soccer Stadium during the tournament, due to FIFA policies regarding corporate sponsorship of stadiums.
A total of 13 referees, 5 reserve referees, and 26 assistant referees were appointed by FIFA for the tournament.[13]
Each team named a squad of 21 players (three of whom must be goalkeepers) by the FIFA deadline.[6] The squads were announced by FIFA on 25 July 2014.[14]
The final draw was held on 1 March 2014 in Montreal.[15] Confederation champions France, South Korea and United States were put in Pot 1 alongside the hosts Canada, who were automatically assigned to Position A1. The draw then made sure no teams of the same confederation could meet in the group stage.
The schedule of the tournament was announced on 6 August 2013.[16]
The winners and runners-up of each group advance to the quarter-finals.[6] The rankings of teams in each group are determined as follows:
If two or more teams are equal on the basis of the above three criteria, their rankings are determined as follows:
All times are local:[17]
The 5–5 draw by Germany and China tied the tournament record for most goals in a match and set a new record for highest scoring draw.[18]
In the knockout stages, if a match is level at the end of normal playing time, extra time is played (two periods of 15 minutes each) and followed, if necessary, by a penalty shoot-out to determine the winner, except for the third place match where no extra time is played as the match is played directly before the final.[6]
The pairing Nigeria vs Germany is a repeat of the 2010 final which Germany won 2–0. Germany won their third title and joined USA in first place with three titles each.
The following awards were given for the tournament:[19]
Juliette Kemppi
Faustine Robert
Theresa Panfil Lena Petermann
Uchechi Sunday
Jon So-yon Ri Un-sim
Lindsey Horan
Byanca Brasil Carol Baiana.svg/1280px-Flag_of_Canada_(Pantone).svg.png){kind=small}
Nichelle Prince Valerie Sanderson
Lei Jiahui Tang Jiali Zhang Chen Zhang Zhu
Melissa Herrera Michelle Montero
Martha Harris Beth Mead Nikita Parris Sini Laaksonen Aminata Diallo Kadidiatou Diani Griedge Mbock Bathy Ouleymata Sarr Mylaine Tarrieu Aissatou Tounkara Rebecca Knaak
Jennifer Cudjoe
Fabiola Ibarra
Megan Lee Tayla O'Brien Loveth Ayila Osarenoma Igbinovia Chinwendu Ihezuo Choe Un-hwa Choe Yun-gyong Kim So-hyang Ri Un-yong
Jennifer Mora Silvana Romero
Kim So-yi Lee Geum-min Makenzy Doniak Rose Lavelle Fabiola Villalobos (playing against France)Source: FIFA[20]