KATOWICE, Poland — The United States’ run at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup came to a heartbreaking end Wednesday, as Brazil advanced from the Round of 16 with a 5-4 penalty shootout victory following a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes.
Ainsley McCammon provided the United States’ lone goal in regulation, responding just minutes after Brazil took the lead, but the Americans were unable to turn several promising opportunities into a decisive second goal.
The loss marked the fourth time in 12 U-20 Women’s World Cup appearances that the United States has been eliminated via penalties.
Brazil broke through in the 59th minute following a short corner. Clarinha delivered an inswinging cross toward the six-yard box, where Sofia rose to redirect a header off the right post and past U.S. goalkeeper Caroline Birkel.
The Americans responded almost immediately.
After an attacking sequence involving Linda Ullmark and Emeri Adames, a loose ball fell to McCammon outside the penalty area. The Seattle Reign midfielder drove a powerful effort toward goal that deflected off a Brazilian defender and found the bottom-left corner.
It was McCammon’s second goal of the tournament and second at the U-20 international level.
The United States had opportunities to win the match before penalties.
Alex Buck found herself on a breakaway late in the second half but couldn’t convert. Earlier, Buck struck the right post following a Sealey Strawn attempt that Brazilian goalkeeper Thais Lima blocked.
Another golden opportunity arrived in the 111th minute when Ullmark broke forward on a counterattack but pushed her effort wide with only Lima to beat.
Those missed chances proved costly.
Statistically, the United States produced enough opportunities to advance, finishing with 1.54 expected goals compared with Brazil’s 0.94. The American defense also limited Brazil to only two shots on goal across 120 minutes despite dealing with a steady stream of direct balls and set-piece pressure.
Neither side could break the deadlock during 30 minutes of extra time, sending the match to penalties.
Brazil was perfect from the spot.
Lima saved the United States’ opening attempt from Adames before McCammon, Y-Lan Nguyen, Lily Joseph and Aven Alvarez each converted. Brazil answered all five times, clinching the shootout 5-4 and ending the Americans’ tournament.
Despite the early elimination, several U.S. players finished the competition with notable individual accomplishments.
Kennedy Fuller concluded her FIFA Youth World Cup career with seven goals across the U-17 and U-20 competitions, including three at this tournament. Micayla Johnson became the first American to score at FIFA Youth World Cups in three consecutive years, having found the net at the 2024 and 2025 U-17 tournaments before scoring twice in Poland.
Seven different Americans scored during this year’s competition as the United States finished with 13 goals.
For head coach Vicky Jepson and the U-20s, however, Wednesday’s result will be remembered for opportunities left unfinished. After responding impressively to Brazil’s second-half breakthrough, the Americans came within inches of advancing but ultimately saw their World Cup run decided from the penalty spot.
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