The England women's national under-20 football team is an association football team that represents England women at under-20 level. It has been governed by the Football Association (FA) since 1993, having been previously administered by the Women's Football Association (WFA). Although most national football teams represent a sovereign state, as a member of the United Kingdom's Home Nations, England is permitted by FIFA statutes to maintain its own national side that competes in all major tournaments. The team operated as England Under-21s from 2018 to 2021, followed by England Under-23s, after cancellations of the Under-19 Championship and U-20 World Cup.
Pathway Transitions
Move to U-21 system (2018–2021) In a bid to better aid the transition between the youth pathway and senior football, the WFA announced in September 2018 that they were scrapping the U23s and U20s format in order to form an Under-21s age group, which would become the top tier of the nation's professional development phase. The move would align England's structure to that used in other European countries, allowing for more age-appropriate games and better manage individual player development post-U20 World Cup for those who have genuine senior team potential. The then U20s manager Mo Marley was announced as head coach.
Move to U-23 team (2021–present)
Under-20 World Cups
2018 Under-20 World Cup In 2018 they finished third at the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, their best ever finish at the tournament. They won the play-off for third 4–2 on penalties against the host nation France. In the knockout rounds, they overcame tournament debutants the Netherlands 2–1 in the quarter-finals before losing 2–0 to Japan, which was the first time England they had reached the semi-final stage.
2026 Under-20 World Cup England Women's Under-19s confirmed England's qualification for the 2026 Under-20 World Cup in June 2025, despite finishing 3rd in their group at the 2025 Under-19 European Championship.
A group of Under-19 and Under-20 players were announced for the first Under-20 training camp in over 7 years on 19 November 2025, with games against China PR, USA and Mexico to be played in Murcia, Spain. England Women's Under-19s Head Coach Lauren Smith took control of the Under-20s as they beat Mexico and China, and lost to a strong USA Under-20 side.
Competitive record
FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup
FIFA U-19 Women's World Cup recordYearRoundPosition 2002Quarter-finals6th4112711 2004Did not qualifyFIFA U-20 Women's World Cup recordYearRoundPosition 2006Did not qualify 2008Quarter-finals8th412145 2010Group stage13th301225 2012Did not qualify 2014Group stage11th302134 2016Did not qualify 2018Third place3rd6321137 2022Did not qualify 2024 2026Round of 16TBD411277Total:6/12Third place3rd246993639
Head-to-head record The following table shows England's head-to-head record in the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. OpponentWin %Total
Current squad On 21 August 2026, head coach Lydia Bedford named a 21-player squad for the 2026 U-20 Women's World Cup. Jess Anderson and Layla Drury joined the squad as training players for the final preparation camp and match against New Caledonia.
On 30 August 2026, it was announced that Lauryn Thompson had withdrawn from the tournament squad due to injury; she was replaced by Drury.
On 4 September 2026, Vivienne Lia was called into the squad to replace Erica Meg Parkinson.
= Training player
Recent call-ups The following players have also been called up to the England under-20 squad within the last twelve months.
= Withdrew = Withdrew due to injury = Called up to U23 squad
Results and fixtures
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
2025
2026
References