The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is a global tournament organized for female footballers under the age of 17. Since its inception in 2008, the competition was held every two years until 2024, when it became an annual event.
The 2025 edition kicked off on October 17 in Morocco, marking the first time an African nation has hosted the tournament.
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So far, only five countries have lifted the trophy, but which nation has won it the most and has any African countries won the tournament before?
In this article, SportPremi takes a look at the countries with the most wins in history;
5. South Korea (1 title):
The Taegeuk Girls join the limited list of winners of this prestigious competition with their title win in 2010.
South Korea reached the quarterfinals of the 2008 edition, but improved on their performance two years later, defeating rivals Japan in the final of the 2010 edition in Trinidad and Tobago.
They have not progressed beyond the group stages since then, but are well on course for a better finish this year.
4. France (1 title):
The French Women’s U-17 team became the first European team to lift the tournament with their victory in 2012.
In just their second-ever appearance, France reached the finals of the competition before eventually defeating inaugural winners North Korea via penalties for their only win till date.
3. Japan (1 title):
The Little Nadeshiko backed up their silver medal in 2010, by winning the 2014 edition of the tournament hosted in Costa Rica.
Japan eliminated Mexico and Venezuela in the knockout stages, before setting up a final against Spain which they won by two goals.
They became the first nation to reach consecutive finals, reaching the 2016 final, but suffered penalty shootout heartbreak following their loss to North Korea.
They are also one of the two countries to have participated in all editions of the competition, alongside New Zealand.
2. Spain (2 titles):
The Spanish U-17 Women’s team are the only side in history to have won the competition for two straight years. They also have the joint-most final appearances in history (4), alongside North Korea.
They reached a first final in 2014, but did not win the tournament until their fourth appearance in 2018, defeating Mexico in the final.
Two years later, they reached a second consecutive final and defeated Colombia 1-0 to secure a second crown.
1. North Korea (3 titles):
They may not shine at the senior level, but North Korea have ruled the U-17 Women’s World Cup tournament, boasting a record three titles.
They won the inaugural edition in 2008, defeating the United States and reached another final in 2012, but were defeated by France.
Since then, North Korea have added two more titles to their name and currently hold the crown following their victory over Spain in the 2024 final.
What of Ghana