The FIFA U-20 World Cup is the biennial football world championship tournament for FIFA members’ men's national teams with players under the age of 20. The competition has been staged every two years since the inaugural tournament in 1977 when it was hosted by Tunisia under the tournament name of FIFA World Youth Championship until 2005 . In 2007 the name was changed to its present form. FIFA bills the men's Under-20 World Cup as "the tournament of tomorrow's superstars." Diego Maradona , Lionel Messi and Paul Pogba are previous winners of the official player of the tournament award, and Erling Haaland was the top scorer at the 2019 edition. The current title holder is Uruguay , which won its first title at the 2023 tournament in Argentina.
41-454: In the twenty-three editions of the tournament held, twelve nations have won the title. Argentina U20 is the most successful team with six titles, followed by Brazil U20 with five titles. Portugal U20 and Serbia U20 have both won two titles (with the latter winning once as Yugoslavia U20 ), while Ghana U20 , Germany U20 , Spain U20 , France U20 , England U20 , Ukraine U20 , Russia U20 (as
82-510: A 0–0 draw in the debut with the Czech Republic, Argentina smashed Panama 6–0 and defeated North Korea 1–0 to secure qualification to the second round. In the knockout stage, Argentina eliminated Poland (3–1), followed by Mexico (1–0) and Chile (3–0) en route to the final. In the final, played on 22 July, Argentina won its sixth title after defeating the Czechs 3–1. Sergio Agüero , the top scorer of
123-419: A La Liga champion with FC Barcelona in the 2004–05 season. Other notable players for Argentina in that year were goalkeeper Oscar Ustari ; defenders Ezequiel Garay and Julio Barroso , midfielders Pablo Zabaleta , Fernando Gago and Lucas Biglia and forwards Sergio Agüero and Neri Cardozo . Two years later, the team won its second straight title at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup , hosted by Canada. After
164-756: A brawl on the pitch between both teams. As a result, FIFA punished the Argentina Football Association (AFA) with a two-year suspension, as well as a one-year suspension for Esnáider and a two-year suspension for Norberto Recassens (one of the representatives of the AFA), both of whom insulted the referees in their dressing room at the end of the match. Some of the players that took part of that team were goalkeeper Leonardo Díaz , defenders Diego Cocca , Mauricio Pochettino and Pellegrino; midfielders París, Walter Paz Hugo Morales and Christian Bassedas ; and forwards Marcelo Delgado and Esnáider. Because it
205-399: A brilliant era that brought back the prestige to Argentine football. After the departure of Pékerman, former goalkeeper Hugo Tocalli was designed to replace him. With Tocalli as coach, Argentina made its debut at 2003 championship defeating Spain 2–1. The team also beat Uzbekistan (by the same score) and Mali (3–1). Argentina finished first and unbeaten the first stage. In the round of 16,
246-465: A draw with England (1–1) and beat Cameroon 1–0. Argentina did not qualify to the next stage, however, earning only three points after three matches played. The team made a much better performance at the 1983 championship in Mexico , reaching the final with Brazil . On the first round, Argentina thrashed China PR 5–0, then defeated Austria 3–0 and beat Czechoslovakia 2–0. The team finished first in
287-420: A total of 20 goals in the tournament. Diego Maradona and Ramón Díaz were the team's most notable players. The tournament was also the first official championship played by Maradona in a national team. After his frustration of 1978, Maradona made the most of his performances during the tournament, being the best player of the team due to his passing moves, dribblings to rivals, his accuracy to shot free kicks and
328-465: Is an Argentine retired footballer who played as a right winger . In a professional career that lasted 14 years he played mostly in Spain, with Zaragoza and Atlético Madrid , but also represented Olympiacos , winning five major titles with the latter club. He was also retired from 2010 to 2013, before returning to active with OFI Crete . An Argentina international in the 2000s, Galletti appeared with
369-491: The 1997 championship , hosted by Malaysia . The team defeated Hungary 3–0 and Canada 2–1, but lost to Australia 4–3. Argentina passed to the round of 16 where they defeated England 2–1. In quarter-finals, Argentina eliminated Brazil after winning 2–0, then beat the Republic of Ireland 1–0 in the semi-finals. In the final match, played on 5 July 1997, the squad defeated Uruguay 2–1 to win its third championship. The team also received
410-460: The 1999 World Championship in Nigeria was not so good. Argentina finished 3rd of 4 in the group, winning over Kazakhstan 1–0 at the debut but with a game lost to Ghana (1-0) and a 0–0 draw with Croatia. On the round of 16, Argentina was largely defeated at the hands Mexico by 4-1 and eliminated from the tournament. In 2001 Argentina hosted its first Youth Championship. The team won its fourth title,
451-491: The 2008 event . The next edition is planned to be held in 2025 in Chile . 24 national teams appear in the final tournament. 23 countries, including the defending champion, have to qualify in the youth championships of the six confederations. The host country automatically qualifies. All continental confederations except for the OFC (Oceania) have made an appearance in the final match of
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#1733086120658492-662: The Piraeus club until 2013 – the new deal contained a release clause fee of €15 million. In early February 2010, Galletti was diagnosed with severe kidney failure , causing him to miss the rest of the season . He announced his retirement the following summer, aged only 30; in early October 2012, however, he underwent a successful kidney transplant , the donor being his father Rubén. Galletti returned to Olympiacos on 3 September 2014 after an unassuming spell as player at OFI Crete FC , being appointed scout for Latin America . Galletti
533-539: The USSR U20 ) and Uruguay U20 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
574-530: The first FIFA World Youth Championship in Tunisia , but appeared at the next edition held in Japan . The team, coached by César Luis Menotti with the help of Ernesto Duchini (who had previously chosen the players and working with them), won the tournament, showing a fine style of play consisting of high possession of the ball, diverse kinds of passes, dribbling, a solid defense and a powerful offensive line that scored
615-583: The tournament held in Saudi Arabia as one of the three qualified in the South American championship. Argentina was defeated by Spain in the first match. The team recovered winning the second game to Norway 2–0, but although it lost the last match to Iraq , Argentina qualified for the second round. In the knockout stage, the team was beaten 1–0 by Brazil. For the 1991 championship held in Portugal, Argentina
656-821: The 23 World Championship events, since the 1979 edition , which they won. Argentina has also won five South American Youth Championships . Many of Argentina's top players came through the ranks of the youth teams, including Sergio Agüero , Pablo Aimar , Nicolás Burdisso , Esteban Cambiasso , Ángel Di María , Ramón Díaz , Fernando Gago , Diego Maradona , Jorge Burruchaga , Javier Mascherano , Lionel Messi , Juan Román Riquelme , Oscar Ruggeri , Gabriel Calderón , Sergio Goycochea , Sergio Romero , Maxi Rodríguez , Luis Islas , Luciano Galletti , Juan Pablo Sorín , Franco Costanzo , Walter Samuel , Javier Saviola , Jorge Borelli , Leonardo Biagini , Diego Simeone , Carlos Tevez , Erik Lamela , Éver Banega , Manuel Lanzini , and Pablo Piatti . Argentina did not participate in
697-553: The FIFA Fair Play Award in recognition to the good behaviour showed on the field. Argentina showed the talent of notable players such as Leonardo Franco , Fabián Cubero , Leandro Cufré , Walter Samuel , Diego Placente , Esteban Cambiasso , Pablo Aimar , Juan Román Riquelme and Bernardo Romeo , many of them with already many matched played in the Primera División when the tournament began. The performance during
738-464: The championship with six goals, was also awarded the Golden Ball as best player. Other notable players on the squad were goalkeeper Sergio Romero , midfielders Éver Banega and Maxi Moralez and forwards Ángel Di María , Mauro Zárate and Pablo Piatti . Argentina's successful performances could not be repeated at the following seven U-20 World Cups. The team failed to qualify twice (2009, 2013) and
779-589: The country joined the AFC in 2006. The following awards are now presented: Argentina national under-20 football team The Argentina national under-20 football team is the representative of Argentina in FIFA -sponsored tournaments that pertain to that age level. Argentina is the most successful nation in the FIFA U-20 World Cup , winning the competition a record six times. The team has participated in 17 of
820-454: The final of the Greek Cup against AEK Athens F.C. giving his team a 4–3 lead but got sent off right after that and watched his team getting equalized but eventually winning the game and the title after a thrilling penalty shoot-out; after that campaign ended and he contributed with a career-best 14 goals to the national championship 's conquest, he signed a contract extension linking him to
861-407: The finals for the sixth time. On 2 July 2005, Argentina defeated Nigeria 2–1 in the final to win its fifth youth championship. Both goals were scored by Lionel Messi from the penalty spot. Messi was the leader of the team and his magical performances resulted in him winning both the top scorer and best player's awards. In the 2005 team's squad, Lionel Messi was the star player and had already been
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#1733086120658902-694: The first stage, Argentina defeated the Netherlands 1–0, then lost to Portugal 1–0 followed by a 4–2 win over Honduras, securing a second-place finish and progression to the quarter-finals, where they thrashed Cameroon by 4–0. In semi-finals, Argentina beat Spain 3–0 then defeated Brazil 2–0 in the final, exacting revenge from the 1983 tournament where the Brazilians won. Some of its most notable players were Juan Pablo Sorín , Joaquín Irigoytía , Federico Domínguez , Mariano Juan , Ariel Ibagaza , Leonardo Biagini and Walter Coyette . Argentina won its third title at
943-417: The first team, moving in the following transfer window to another club in the country, Serie B 's S.S.C. Napoli – loaned by Estudiantes, to where he would return for the 2000–01 campaign . Galletti signed with Real Zaragoza from Spain in the 2001 off-season. He made his La Liga debut on 26 August in a 1–2 away loss against RCD Espanyol , and finished his first year with 27 matches and two goals as
984-580: The group with zero goals conceded. In the quarter-finals, Argentina defeated Netherlands 2–1 (after Marco van Basten had opened the scored for the Oranje ) and Poland 1–0 in the semi-finals. On 19 June 1983, Argentina played the final against Brazil, falling 1–0 at the Estadio Azteca . The team was coached by Carlos Pachamé , designated by the Senior team coach, Carlos Bilardo , to work with youth players. Some of
1025-519: The national squad beat Egypt 2–1, then defeated United States 2-1 but Argentina lost to Brazil 1–0 at the semifinals. The team was also defeated by Colombia in the 3rd place match so Argentina finished in the 4th position of the general table. Striker Fernando Cavenaghi was the top scorer of the tournament with 4 goals. In 2004, Pékerman was appointed to coach the Argentina senior team ahead of 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying . One year later, Tocalli left
1066-499: The national team at the 2005 Confederations Cup . Born in La Plata , Buenos Aires Province , Galletti's career began with Estudiantes de La Plata , where his father Rubén Horacio played as a right-wing forward during the 1970s. He scored once in 24 games in his second season in the Primera División . In January 1999, Galletti joined Parma A.C. in Italy, but failed to break into
1107-460: The players of that team were goalkeeper Luis Islas , defenders Fabián Basualdo , Jorge Theiler , Carlos Enrique ; midfielders Mario Vanemerak , Oscar Acosta and Roberto Zárate; and forwards Claudio García , Jorge Luis Gabrich and Oscar Dertycia . Argentina did not qualify for the 1985 and 1987 championships (played in the Soviet Union and Chile respectively), but the team participated in
1148-524: The scoresheet at home against Cádiz CF (3–0). In his second season with the Colchoneros , Galletti scored four goals in 36 games as they finished in seventh position. On 30 June 2007, Galletti was transferred to Olympiacos F.C. in Greece, for a reported fee of €2.5 million, with the player signing a four-year contract with an annual salary of €1.3 million. On 2 May 2009, he scored Olympiacos‘ 4th goal of
1189-566: The season ended in relegation. From there onwards, Galletti became an undisputed starter for the Aragonese , never appearing in less than 34 contests for the remainder of his spell. In 2003–04 he helped them win the Copa del Rey , scoring the winner in a 3–2 extra time win over Real Madrid . On 29 July 2005, Galletti joined fellow league side Atlético Madrid for € 4 million. He netted his first league goal for his new team on 27 October, closing
1230-409: The second-straight time. Apart from the multi-awarded Saviola, the national squad had a powerful team with most of its players being experienced playing at the domestic first division, notably Nicolás Burdisso , Leonardo Ponzio , Julio Arca , Leandro Romagnoli , Mauro Rosales , Andrés D'Alessandro and Maxi Rodríguez . The 2001 championship was the last title won with Pékerman as coach, closing
1271-505: The six goals he scored. Before every match, Diego played with the ball, putting it on his neck or his shoulders while the Japanese people couldn't stop applauding him. When I would see this, I would say to myself: "Wow, and the show hasn't even started yet". Argentina debuted in Group B, thrashing Indonesia 5–0 in their first match, beating Yugoslavia 1–0 in the second and defeating Poland in
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1312-558: The third championship in seven years. Argentina debuted in the José Amalfitani Stadium (the venue where the team played all its games in Buenos Aires) defeating Finland 1–0. The next game Argentina thrashed Egypt 7–1 (with three goals by Javier Saviola ), and closed its participation in Group A by smashing Jamaica by 5–1. In the knockout round, Argentina successively eliminated China (2–1), France (3–1) and Paraguay (5–0), winning
1353-592: The third match, 4–1. The youth squad finished first in the group with ten goals scored and only one conceded. En route to the final, Argentina hammered Algeria 5–0, then defeated arch-rival Uruguay 2–0. In the final against the Soviet Union on 7 September, the team won 3–1, becoming the World Youth Champions for the first time. Ramón Díaz won the Golden Shoe as the topscorer, with eight goals, while Maradona
1394-401: The tournament with a convincing 3–0 over Ghana at the final, played on 8 July at Vélez Sársfield. Argentina won its fourth youth title unbeaten, scoring 27 goals in 7 matches, conceding 4. River Plate's forward Javier Saviola was awarded with the Golden Shoe (as the topscorer with 11) and Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament. Likewise, Argentina was awarded the FIFA Fair Play Award for
1435-534: The tournament. To date, CONMEBOL (South America) leads with twelve titles, followed by UEFA (Europe) with ten titles and CAF (Africa) with one title. Teams from the AFC (Asia) and CONCACAF (North America, Central America, Caribbean) have made the tournament final four times, but were defeated by strong UEFA sides. No current OFC member has ever made the semifinals; Australia reached the semifinals as an OFC member in 1991 and 1993, finishing fourth on both occasions, before
1476-600: The youth team to join Pékerman's coaching staff on the senior squad, so Francisco Ferraro was designated coach, won its fifth title at the World championship hosted by the Netherlands. Argentina lost to the United States in the first match, won against Egypt (2–1) and Germany (1–0) to qualify for the next stage. From the round of 16 to the semi-finals, Argentina successively eliminated Colombia (2–1), Spain (3–1) and Brazil (2–1) reaching
1517-429: Was awarded the Golden Ball as best player of the tournament. Apart from Maradona and Díaz, other notable players of the team were Juan Simón , Hugo Alves, Gabriel Calderón , Juan Barbas and Osvaldo Escudero . That team is still regarded as one of the best Argentine national squads ever. Argentina attended the next tournament, hosted by Australia in 1981 . They were defeated 2–1 by hosts Australia, then achieved
1558-611: Was banned, Argentina did not participate in the 1993 World Cup in Australia. The Argentina Football Association (AFA) had opted to name a new coach entirely independent from the senior team coach as had been until then. Selected was José Pékerman , who, despite not having much previous experience, convinced the AFA to hire him. The good results were immediate: Argentina won the first World Cup contested with Pékerman as coach, held in 1995 in Qatar . In
1599-516: Was coached by Reinaldo Merlo , who was designated by then-senior coach Alfio Basile as it had been in the precedent era. Argentina made its worst campaign in youth tournaments, finishing last in their group with only one point earned from three matches. The team lost to Korea united team 1–0 in the first match, then were defeated by hosts Portugal 3–0 in a match where three Argentine players ( Claudio París , Mauricio Pellegrino and Juan Esnáider ) were sent off for their rough play which culminated in
1640-470: Was eliminated from the group stage on two occasions (2015, 2017). Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks . In addition to team victories, Argentine players have won many individual awards at FIFA World Youth Cups. The following table shows Argentina's head-to-head record in the FIFA U-20 World Cup . Luciano Galletti Luciano Martín Galletti ( Spanish pronunciation: [luˈsjano ɣaˈleti] ; born 9 April 1980)
1681-468: Was the top scorer at the 1999 South American Youth Championship with nine goals in only eight games, ranking ahead the likes of Ronaldinho and Roque Santa Cruz as the Argentina under-20s won the competition in Paraguay . He earned 13 caps for the full side , making his debut in 2000 and being selected to the squad that appeared in the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup , where he played three matches for