Japan knock out two-time champions North Korea on penalties and reach their fourth U-17 World Cup final

Japan sprang the surprise in the first semi-final of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2026: they drew 1-1 with two-time defending champions North Korea thanks to an own goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time, then won the penalty shoot-out 4-1 at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat. Japan will play their fourth final in the tournament's history on Saturday 7 November, against the winner of Brazil v Nigeria, which kicks off on Wednesday at 3 pm Argentina time.

An own goal in the 95th minute and four perfect penalties

The match, which kicked off at 12 pm Argentina time in front of just 206 spectators, was opened in the 52nd minute by Ri Ui Gyong, the North Korean star who had already scored twice against the United States in the quarter-finals and now has six goals in the tournament. North Korea held the lead almost to the end: So Ye Rim was booked in the 94th minute and an own goal by Won Sol Gyong in the 95th made it 1-1 and sent the tie to penalties.

There is no extra time at this World Cup, and the shoot-out belonged to Japan. Asuka Tanaka, Honoka Yotsumoto, Wara Shimizu and Arisu Ota converted Japan's four kicks, while North Korea only scored through Ri Pok Rim. 4-1, and a ticket to the final.

Revenge for two 5-1 defeats

The result tastes of revenge. North Korea had beaten Japan 5-1 in the quarter-finals of the 2025 U-17 World Cup, also in Morocco, on the way to their fourth title, and beat them 5-1 again in this year's AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup final. "We lost to them in the Asian Cup," Japan coach Sadayoshi Shirai had admitted to FIFA before the match, convinced his team needed to keep the ball better to beat them.

Japan had reached the semi-final as the only team to win all their group games without conceding: 5-0 against Zambia, 2-0 against France and 2-0 against Venezuela. They then beat Kenya 3-1 in the round of 16 and Ghana 1-0 in the quarter-finals, with a goal from Nanami Kurita, and only today conceded their second goal of the tournament.

North Korea's run comes to an end

North Korea, coached by Ji Yun-nam, were chasing a third consecutive title and a fifth overall. They had thrashed Puerto Rico 6-0 and Poland 6-1, lost 3-1 to Nigeria in their final Group B game, crushed hosts Morocco 6-0 in the round of 16 and knocked out the United States 3-0 in the quarter-finals. They will now play for third place on Saturday at 12 pm Argentina time.

Japan chase a second crown

It will be Japan's fourth U-17 World Cup final: they lost on penalties to South Korea in 2010 (3-3, 5-4), won the title in 2014 with a 2-0 over Spain and lost on penalties again in 2016, to North Korea of all teams, after a 0-0 draw. This time the shoot-out went their way. North Korea remain the tournament's most successful side with four titles (2008, 2016, 2024 and 2025).

What comes next, Argentina time

• Brazil v Nigeria, second semi-final: Wednesday 4 November, 3 pm.
• Third-place match: Saturday 7 November, 12 pm.
• Final: Saturday 7 November, 3.30 pm.

Sources: FIFA (match centre and official preview of the U-17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2026), AFC, ESPN.