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World Cup U20 Overview

Lionel Messi Argentina U20 World Cup 2025

Messi sends message to Argentina U20s after World Cup final defeat

Lionel Messi proved his class once again when sending a heartfelt message to Argentina’s promising youngsters after seeing them suffer an agonising defeat to Morocco in the FIFA U20 World Cup final. The Albiceleste are the current holders of the global crown at senior level and had been hoping to capture another in the youth ranks. Messi has offered his support after seeing that dream crushed in dramatic fashion.

Purple & blue cards?! What is FIFA's new VAR challenge initiative

FIFA is rolling out a brand new VAR challenge initiative that gives managers the power to use purple and blue cards during matches to request a decision review from the referee, but it threatens to lead to even more frustrating delays. The cards are currently being tested at the 2025 Under-20 World Cup in Chile and in other smaller-scale tournaments and leagues.

Zidane's son backed to reach 'highest level' amid France heroics

Elyaz Zidane, son of French football icon Zinedine Zidane, is emerging as one of the brightest revelations of the U-20 World Cup in Chile. Playing at the heart of France’s defence, the 19-year-old has logged the most minutes in Bernard Diomede’s side, displaying composure and maturity that go beyond his age and the immense weight of his surname.

Cremaschi rises, yet another let down against Morocco by U.S.

The U.S. have been knocking at the door, but what needs to change to finally open it? That question remains after another exit

Morocco end U.S. run in U20 World Cup with quarterfinal win

The United States made a deep run into the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup, but that came to a halt in the quarterfinals - their fifth tournament in a row reaching that round - as Morocco won 3-1 on Sunday. Despite Cole Campbell's first-half equalizer, Morocco advanced to the semifinals with a second-half own goal from Joshua Wynder and a late counterattack strike.

Lalas challenges U.S. U20 team to surpass previous generation

Former USMNT star Alexi Lalas has tempered expectations after the United States’ impressive 3-0 victory over Italy in the Round of 16 at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Lalas acknowledged the achievement but emphasized that American youth teams have reached similar stages before. The U.S. secured their fifth straight trip the quarterfinals.

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	PTS	Form
1	São Paulo	5	4	1	0	8	2	6	13	W W W D W
2	Palmeiras	5	3	1	1	13	7	6	10	L W W W D
3	Fluminense	5	3	1	1	7	4	3	10	W L W D W
4	Bahia	4	2	2	0	5	3	2	8	D W D W
5	Bragantino	5	2	2	1	4	4	0	8	D D L W W

Pos

Team

+/-

PTS

Form

São Paulo

W
W
W
D
W

Palmeiras

L
W
W
W
D

Fluminense

W
L
W
D
W

Bahia

D
W
D
W

Bragantino

D
D
L
W
W

Frequently asked questions

Who has won the most AFCON titles?

Egypt are the team who have won the most AFCON titles in history, with seven to their name. It was in 1957, the inaugural edition of AFCON, where Egypt attained glory. They would go on to add three more trophies before the turn of the century (1957, 1986, 1998), before completing a threepeat in 2006, 2008, and 2010.

How many teams are in the AFCON?

The first-ever AFCON featured just three teams. Between 1968 and 1990, eight teams featured in the tournament. An expansion in 1992 saw 12 teams feature in AFCON, and 16 from 1998. The latest expansion in 2019, though, sees 24 teams fight for glory.

Who has made the most AFCON appearances ever?

Cameroon legend Rigobert Song set the record of most AFCON appearances in 2010, playing in his 36th game in the tournament. That record was equalled by Ghanaian icon Andre Ayew in 2024.

Who is the all-time top scorer of the AFCON?

Cameroon icon Samuel Eto'o leads the all-time goalscoring charts with an impressive 18 goals over the course of 29 matches during six different tournaments.

Who is the oldest player ever in the AFCON and how old was he?

Egypt's Essam El Hadary is the oldest player ever to play in AFCON at the age of 44 years and 21 days. He achieved this feat in 2017 during Egypt's 2-1 loss to Cameroon.

Who is the youngest player ever in the AFCON and how old was he?

Former Ghana defender Joseph Odoi made his AFCON debut in 1984 at the age of 15 years and 164 days, becoming the youngest player ever to feature in the African Cup of Nations.

Which famous players have played in the AFCON?

Samuel Eto'o, Mohamed Salah, Yaya Toure, Didier Drogba, Jay-Jay Okocha, Sadio Mane, Roger Milla, Ahmed Hassan, George Weah, etc, are some of the biggest names to have featured in the African Cup of Nations.

Which famous managers have managed in the AFCON?

Charles Gyamfi, Hassan Shehata, Herve Renard, and Avram Grant are some of the most famous coaches to have led their respective teams at AFCON.