Korea DPR have become the first nation to lift three FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cups™, as the AFC powerhouses edged out Spain on penalties in the Dominican Republic 2024 decider on 3 November.
That victory means they are the fifth side to secure both the U-17 and U-20 titles in the same year, following the nation’s success at Colombia 2024 in September.
Here, FIFA looks back at all the double champions.
The U-17 and U20 Women’s World Cup winners
Korea DPR – ۲۰۱۶
This year wasn’t the first time Korea DPR have claimed both youth crowns, with the nation having done so eight years prior.
Led by the goals of Ri Hae-yon and the brilliance of adidas Silver Ball winner Sung Hyang-sim, Korea DPR breezed to the U-17 final in Amman where they edged out AFC compatriots Japan on penalties in the October showpiece.
Korea DPR v Japan | Final | FIFA U17 World Cup Jordania 2016™ | Highlights
Korea DPR v Japan | Final | FIFA U17 World Cup Jordania 2016™ | Highlights
They then became the third nation to lift the U-20 trophy twice, following USA and Germany, and the first to achieve it in the same year as an U-17 success. A 3-1 comeback victory over France in Port Moresby ensured they clinched the title just over six weeks after the U-17 side did the same.
Spain – ۲۰۲۲
La Rojita joined Korea DPR in the club in 2022, as they won a maiden U-20 title and the second of back-to-back U-17 crowns.
Inma Gabarro dazzled at the U-20 tournament in August, recording a joint-high eight goals as Spain romped to the title with a 3-1 win over Japan. She was joined in a potent attacking line by Salma Paralluelo, who added the trophy to her U-17 success of 2018, with a senior title to follow in 2023.
Spain v Japan | Final | FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2022™ | Highlights
Watch the highlights from the match between Spain and Japan played at Costa Rica National Stadium on Sunday, 28 August 2022.
Spain may not have been blessed with the top scorer at the U-17 event two months later, but they could rely on the brilliance of adidas Golden Ball winner Vicky Lopez. The tricky winger starred with a game-saving brace over Japan in the quarters, paving the way to a narrow 1-0 victory over Colombia in the Navi Mumbai decider.
Colombia v Spain | Final | FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022™ | Highlights
Watch the highlights from the match between Colombia and Spain played at DY Patil Stadium on Sunday, 30 October 2022.
Korea DPR – ۲۰۲۴
The AFC heavyweights reclaimed both trophies for the first time since their 2016 victories this year.
In the U-20 tournament, while Choe Il-son’s six-goal showing stole the headlines and saw her claim an adidas Golden Ball-Golden Boot double, Korea DPR’s strength came in their defence. Ri Song-ho’s side conceded just twice all tournament and were unbreached in the knockouts, as they once again beat out Japan to the title.
Korea DPR v Japan | Final | FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024™ | Highlights
Watch the highlights from the match between Korea DPR and Japan played at El Campín, Bogota on Sunday, 22 September 2024 at 16:00 (local time).
The U-17 side could then call upon the services of Il-son, who travelled to Dominican Republic 2024 looking to join an elite group of players to win both titles. She duly did, scoring twice and dovetailing superbly with adidas Golden Ball winner Jon Il-chong, as Korea DPR sunk Spain on penalties to lift a second world crown in under two months.
Korea DPR v Spain | Final | FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Dominican Republic 2024™ | Highlights
Watch the highlights from the match between Korea DPR and Spain played at Felix Sanchez Stadium, Santo Domingo on Sunday, 03 November 2024 at 18:00 (local time).
The U-17 and U-20 World Cup winners
Brazil – ۲۰۰۳
Brazil, who are the only male side to lift every World Cup on offer, became the first to scoop a double in 2003.
That August, Marcos Paqueta led the U-17 side to glory in Finland, with defender Leonardo scoring the only goal in a final win over Spain.
The U-20 side repeated the trick that December, as a side containing the likes of Adriano and Nilmar defeated La Roja by the same scoreline in the United Arab Emirates, with Manchester City legend Fernandinho netting the winner.
England – ۲۰۱۷
Before 2017, England hadn’t lifted a World Cup of any nature since their famous home success of 1966. That wait was firmly put to an end over the course of a memorable four months.
Led by the likes of Ademola Lookman, Fikayo Tomori and adidas Golden Ball winner Dominic Solanke, Paul Simpson’s U-20s battled their way to a final against Venezuela, where Dominic Calvert-Lewin struck a famous winner in Suwon.
The U-17 side then travelled to Asia in October and once again came out on top in India. Like Solanke, England were headlined by the tournament’s standout player, as Phil Foden dazzled in the Kolkata showpiece to help his side rally back from 2-0 down to defeat Spain 5-2 in the highest-scoring decider to date.
