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The FIFA U-20 World Cup, until 2005 known as the FIFA World Youth Championship, is the world championship of football for male players under the age of 20 and is organized by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). The Championship has been awarded every two years since the first tournament in 1977.
In the sixteen tournaments held, only seven nations have won the title. Argentina is the most successful team with six titles, followed by Brazil with four titles. Portugal won two titles, while Germany, Spain, and formerly existing nations Soviet Union and Yugoslavia have won the title once each.
A corresponding event for women's teams, the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, began in 2002 with the name "FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship" and an age limit of 19. The age limit for the women's competition was changed to 20 beginning with the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship, and the competition was renamed as a "World Cup" in 2007 in preparation for the 2008 event.
The men's 2007 tournament was played in Canada. The 2009 tournament will be played in Egypt. The 2011 tournament will be played in Colombia.
[edit] Qualification
This competition, which was also known as the FIFA Coca-Cola Cup until 1997, features 24 teams in the final tournament. 23 countries, including the defending champions, have to qualify in the six confederations Youth Championships. The host country automatically qualifies.
[edit] Results
[edit] Summaries
- Key:
- a.e.t. - after extra time
- p.k. - match won on penalty kicks
[edit] Performances by countries
Below are the 14 nations that have reached the final in the U-20 World Cup finals. Argentina is the most successful nation, leading with six titles and seven appearances in the final.
| Team |
Titles |
Runners-up |
 Argentina |
6 (1979, 1995, 1997, 20011, 2005, 2007) |
1 (1983) |
 Brazil |
4 (1983, 1985, 1993, 2003) |
2 (1991, 1995) |
 Portugal |
2 (1989, 19911) |
|
 Spain |
1 (1999) |
2 (1985, 2003) |
 USSR |
1 (1977) |
1 (1979) |
 Germany |
1 (19812) |
1 (1987) |
 Yugoslavia |
1 (1987) |
|
 Nigeria |
|
2 (1989, 2005) |
 Ghana |
|
2 (1993, 2001) |
 Uruguay |
|
1 (1997) |
 Czech Republic |
|
1 (2007) |
 Japan |
|
1 (1999) |
 Mexico |
|
1 (1977) |
 Qatar |
|
1 (1981) |
- 1 = host
- 2 = as West Germany
[edit] Performances by continental zones
All continents except Oceania had made the appearance in the final match of the tournament. To date, South America leads with ten titles following by Europe with six titles. Africa, Asia, and North America entered the final match seven times, but were disappointed by either one of the two traditional football power continents. Fourth place remains as the best result ever for Oceania, which was achieved in 1993.
| Confederation (continent) |
Performances |
| CONMEBOL (South America) |
10 titles, won by Argentina (6) and Brazil (4) |
| UEFA (Europe) |
6 titles, won by Portugal (2), Spain (1), USSR (1), Germany (1) and Yugoslavia (1) |
| CAF (Africa) |
Runners-up (Nigeria, 1989 and 2005; Ghana, 1993 and 2001) |
| AFC (Asia) |
Runners-up (Japan, 1999), Runners-up (Qatar, 1981) |
| CONCACAF (North, Central America and Caribbean) |
Runners-up (Mexico, 1977) |
| OFC (Oceania) |
Fourth-place (Australia, 1991 and 1993) |
[edit] Topscorers
[edit] Awards
[edit] Golden Shoe
The adidas Golden Shoe is awarded to the topscorer of the tournament. If more than one players are equal by same goals, the players will be selected based by the most assists during the tournament.
[edit] Golden Ball
The adidas Golden Ball award is awarded to the player who plays the most outstanding football during the tournament. It is selected by the media poll.
[edit] FIFA Fair Play Award
FIFA Fair Play Award is given to the team who has the best fair play record during the tournament with the criteria set by FIFA Fair Play Committee.
[edit] External links
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FIFA U-20 World Cup |
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| Tournaments |
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| Squads |
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2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup
.svg){kind=small}
Taher Amer
Mark Koussas
Chris Faklaris
Henry Zambrano
Mahamadou Dissa
Romulus Gabor
Ismail Matar
Poland
Korea Republic
England
Croatia
