FIFA U-20 World Cup
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The FIFA U-20 World Cup, formerly known as the FIFA World Youth Championship (the new name for the competition will be used for the first time in 2007), 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.
Often, some of the biggest names in the sport make their first mark on the world's stage at this competition. These include Diego Maradona (1979), Dunga (1983), Romário, René Higuita, José Luis Chilavert (1985), Davor Šuker (1987), Luís Figo, Dwight Yorke (1991), Samuel Kuffour (1993), David Trézéguet, Thierry Henry, Juan Román Riquelme, Pablo Aimar, Michael Owen, Damien Duff (1997), Ronaldinho, Íker Casillas (1999), Arjen Robben, Adriano, Michael Essien, Javier Saviola (2001), Carlos Tévez (2003), John Mikel Obi and Lionel Messi (2005).
In the fifteen tournaments held, only seven nations have won the title. Argentina is the most successful team with five titles, followed by Brazil with four titles. Portugal won two titles, while Spain, and formerly existing nations Soviet Union and Yugoslavia have won the title each.
A corresponding event for women's teams, the FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship, began in 2002 with 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.
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[edit] Qualification
This competition, which was also known as the FIFA Coca-Cola Cup until 1997, will feature 24 teams in the final tournament. Except the host country, another 23 spots, including the defending champions, have to be decided in the six confederations Youth Championships in order to qualify.
[edit] Results
[edit] Summaries
[edit] Performances by countries
Below is the 26 nations which finished top four in the U-20 World Cup finals. Argentina became the most successful nations, leading with five titles. Brazil lead all the nations with nine top four finishes. While Argentina and Brazil sharing the most appearances in final match with six appearances each.
| Team | Titles | Runners-up | Third-place | Fourth-place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Argentina |
5 (1979, 1995, 1997, 2001*, 2005) | 1 (1983) | - | 1 (2003) |
 Brazil |
4 (1983, 1985, 1993, 2003) | 2 (1991, 1995) | 3 (1977, 1989, 2005) | - |
 Portugal |
2 (1989, 1991*) | - | 1 (1995) | - |
 Spain |
1 (1999) | 2 (1985, 2003) | - | 1 (1995) |
 USSR |
1 (1977) | 1 (1979) | 1 (1991) | 1 (1985*) |
 Germany# |
1 (1981) | 1 (1987) | - | - |
 Yugoslavia |
1 (1987) | - | - | - |
 Nigeria |
- | 2 (1989, 2005) | 1 (1985) | - |
 Ghana |
- | 2 (1993, 2001) | - | 1 (1997) |
 Uruguay |
- | 1 (1997) | 1 (1979) | 2 (1977, 1999) |
 Japan |
- | 1 (1999) | - | - |
 Mexico |
- | 1 (1977) | - | - |
 Qatar |
- | 1 (1981) | - | |
 Romania |
- | - | 1 (1981) | - |
 England |
- | - | 1 (1993) | 1 (1981) |
 Poland |
- | - | 1 (1983) | 1 (1979) |
 Colombia |
- | - | 1 (2003) | - |
 East Germany |
- | - | 1 (1987) | - |
 Egypt |
- | - | 1 (2001) | - |
 Republic of Ireland |
- | - | 1 (1997) | - |
 Mali |
- | - | 1 (1999) | - |
 Australia |
- | - | - | 2 (1991, 1993) |
 Chile |
- | - | - | 1 (1987*) |
 Korea Republic |
- | - | - | 1 (1983) |
 Morocco |
- | - | - | 1 (2005) |
 Paraguay |
- | - | - | 1 (2001) |
 USA |
- | - | - | 1 (1989) |
- * = host
- # = include 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 nine titles following by Europe with six titles. Africa, Asia, and North America enter the final match siz times, but disappointing by either two traditional football power continents. While fourth place remain as the best result ever for Oceania which achieved in 1993.
| Confederation (continent) | Performances |
|---|---|
| CONMEBOL (South America) | 9 titles, won by Argentina (5) 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) |
| CONCACAF (North, Central America and Carribbean) | Runners-up (Mexico, 1977) |
| OFC (Oceania) | Fourth-place (Australia, 1991, 1993) |
[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 assist during the tournament.
| Tournament | Golden Shoe Award | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 Tunisia |  Quina |
4 |
| 1979 Japan |  Ramon Diaz |
8 |
| 1981 Australia |  Mark Koussas |
4 |
| 1983 Mexico | Geovani |
6 |
| 1985 Soviet Union |  Sebastian Losada |
3 |
| 1987 Chile |  Marcel Witeczek |
7 |
| 1989 Saudi Arabia |  Oleg Salenko |
5 |
| 1991 Portugal | Serguei Cherbakov |
5 |
| 1993 Australia |  Henry Zambrano |
3 |
| 1995 Qatar | Joseba Etxeberria |
7 |
| 1997 Malaysia | Adaílton |
10 |
| 1999 Nigeria | Pablo Couñago |
5 |
| 2001 Argentina | Javier Saviola |
11 |
| 2003 United Arab Emirates |  Eddie Johnson |
4 |
| Tournament | Golden Shoe | Silver Shoe | Bronze Shoe | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | Goals | Winner | Goals | Winner | Goals | |
| 2005 Netherlands | Lionel Messi |
6 | Fernando Llorente |
5 |  Olexandr Aliyev |
5 |
[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.
| Tournament | Golden Ball Winner |
|---|---|
| 1977 Tunisia | Vladimir Bessonov |
| 1979 Japan | Diego Maradona |
| 1981 Australia |  Romulus Gabor |
| 1983 Mexico | Geovani |
| 1985 USSR | Paulo Silas |
| 1987 Chile |  Robert Prosinečki |
| 1989 Saudi Arabia | Bismarck |
| 1991 Portugal |  Peixe |
| 1993 Australia | Adriano Silva |
| 1995 Qatar | Caio |
| 1997 Malaysia |  Andres Nicolas Olivera |
| 1999 Nigeria |  Seydou Keita |
| 2001 Argentina | Javier Saviola |
| 2003 United Arab Emirates |  Ismail Matar |
| Tournament | Golden Ball | Silver Ball | Bronze Ball |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Netherlands | Lionel Messi |
 John Obi Mikel |
Taye Ismaila Taiwo |
[edit] FIFA Fair Play Award
FIFA Fair Play Award is given to the team who has best fair play record during the tournament with the criteria set by FIFA Fair Play Committee.
| Tournament | FIFA Fair Play Award |
|---|---|
| 1977 Tunisia | Brazil |
| 1979 Japan | Poland |
| 1981 Australia | Australia |
| 1983 Mexico | Korea Republic |
| 1985 USSR | Colombia |
| 1987 Chile | West Germany |
| 1989 Saudi Arabia | USA |
| 1991 Portugal | USSR |
| 1993 Australia | England |
| 1995 Qatar | Japan |
| 1997 Malaysia | Argentina |
| 1999 Nigeria |  Croatia |
| 2001 Argentina | Argentina |
| 2003 United Arab Emirates | Colombia |
| 2005 Netherlands | Colombia |
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International football
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