Argentina open their first Under-17 Women's World Cup against Germany on Saturday at noon

Argentina's women's under-17 side play their first ever match at a World Cup in the age group this Saturday, 17 October, at 12:00 Argentine time (15:00 UTC). The opponents are Germany, on Pitch 1 of the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, on Matchday 1 of Group A at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2026.

A debut almost two decades in the making

The U-17 Women's World Cup has been played since 2008 and this is its tenth edition. Argentina had never featured in the previous nine. They booked their place in May in Paraguay by finishing runners-up at the South American U-17 Championship, which handed out four spots. Christian Meloni's team opened with a 2-0 loss to Paraguay, drew 1-1 with Colombia, beat Bolivia 3-0 and drew 2-2 with Chile. In the semi-final they edged Venezuela 1-0 with a goal from Agustina Maldonado, and in the final at the Defensores del Chaco they lost 3-2 to Brazil, with Mercedes Diz and Josefina Galarza on the scoresheet.

Brazil, Venezuela and Chile complete the South American contingent in Morocco.

The opponents and the group

Germany arrive as UEFA Women's Under-17 champions, having beaten France in the final, and are playing their eighth World Cup at this level, though they have never won it. They return after four years away. The group is completed by hosts Morocco, staging the tournament for the second year running (they will host five straight editions, from 2025 to 2029), and New Zealand, who have failed to win any of their previous nine U-17 World Cup matches but took bronze at Uruguay 2018.

According to FIFA's official schedule, Argentina continue on Tuesday 20 October against New Zealand (12:00 Argentine time) and close the group on Friday 23 October against Morocco (15:00 Argentine time), all at the Mohammed VI Football Complex. The top two in each group and the four best third-placed teams from the six groups of the 24-team tournament reach the round of 16.

The 21-player squad

Meloni took 21 players to Morocco, almost all of them from Argentine clubs. River Plate supply six (Araceli Saleme, Agustina Maldonado, Renata Barletta, Macarena Torre, Mercedes Diz and Agustina Leguizamón), Boca Juniors four and Belgrano two: goalkeeper Bianca Virga, a standout in the South American final, and forward Josefina Galarza. The two exceptions play in the United States: Brunella Pilati (Racing Louisville) and Gabriella Szczuka (Pateadores SC).

How to watch

Every match at the World Cup streams free on FIFA+ via DAZN. According to La Diez, Argentina's games will also be shown on TV Pública.

The final is on 7 November at the Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat. DPR Korea, two-time reigning champions and record winners with five titles, are aiming to become the first nation to win three straight FIFA World Cups.

Sources: FIFA, Infobae, La Diez, Las Futbolistas, Punto Capital.