U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team vs. France
2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup – Group E
Thursday, October 2 | Estadio El Teniente; Rancagua, Chile
4 p.m. ET on FS2, Universo
USA FOLLOWS UP IMPRESSIVE OPENER WITH BATTLE AGAINST FRANCE
After a record-setting 9-1 win against New Caledonia in Monday’s World Cup opener, the U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team now sets its sights on France for the team’s second match on Thursday, October 2 (4 p.m. ET; FS2, Universo). With a win, the U.S. will secure a spot in the knockout stage. The top two teams in each of the six groups, plus the four best third-placed teams move on to the Round of 16.
Earlier on Monday, France battled its way to a 2-1 win against South Africa. Thanks to a superior +8 goal difference, the USA currently sits at the top of Group E.
The 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup will be broadcast in English on Fox Sports platforms and on the Fox Sports app with corresponding authentication. Matches will be broadcast in Spanish on Telemundo platforms and the Telemundo app.
Fans can follow all of the action from Argentina on ussoccer.com as well as U.S. Soccer Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
2025 FIFA U-20 WORLD CUP – USA GROUP B SCHEDULE/RESULTS
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Time (ET)/Result | TV Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday, Sept. 29 | New Caledonia | Estadio El Teniente; Rancagua, Chile | 9-1 W | - |
| Thursday, Oct. 2 | France | Estadio El Teniente; Rancagua, Chile | 4 p.m. | FS2, Universo |
| Sunday, Oct. 5 | South Africa | Estadio El Teniente; Rancagua, Chile | 4 p.m. | FS2, Telemundo |
2025 FIFA U-20 WORLD CUP – GROUP B STANDINGS/RESULTS
| W | L | D | GD | PTS | |
| USA | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 |
| France | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| South Africa | 0 | 1 | 0 | -1 | 0 |
| New Caledona | 0 | 1 | 0 | -8 | 0 |
September 29
France 2, South Africa 1
USA 9, New Caledonia 1
2025 FIFA U-20 WORLD CUP ROSTER BY POSITION (CLUB/COUNTRY; U-20 CAPS/GOALS; HOMETOWN)
GOALKEEPERS (3): 1-Gavin Beavers (Brøndby/DEN; Henderson, Nev.; 2/0), 12-Adam Beaudry (Colorado Rapids; Castle Pines, Colo.; 8/0), 21-Duran Ferree (San Diego FC; San Diego, Calif.; 1/0)
DEFENDERS (7): 2-Reed Baker-Whiting (Seattle Sounders; Seattle, Wash.; 7/0), 18-Luca Bombino (San Diego FC; Saugus, Calif.; 10/0), 5-Noah Cobb (Colorado Rapids; Chattanooga, Tenn.; 13/0), 16-Ethan Kohler (SC Verl/GER; Campbell, Calif.; 13/1), 3-Nolan Norris (FC Dallas; Fort Worth, Texas; 17/2), 17-Frankie Westfield (Philadelphia Union; Philadelphia, Pa.; 8/1), 4-Joshua Wynder (Benfica/POR; Louisville, Ky.; 12/1)
MIDFIELDERS (6): 19-Matthew Corcoran (Nashville SC; Dallas, Texas; 6/1), 8-Benjamin Cremaschi (Parma/ITA; Key Biscayne, Fla.; 10/5), 14-Taha Habroune (Columbus Crew; Columbus, Ohio; 15/3), 6-Brooklyn Raines (Houston Dynamo; Chicago, Ill.; 16/1), 15-Pedro Soma (San Diego FC; Coconut Creek, Fla.; 16/2), 10-Niko Tsakiris (San Jose Earthquakes; Saratoga, Calif.; 24/9)
FORWARDS (5): 11-Luke Brennan (Atlanta United; Atlanta, Ga.; 10/2), 7-Cole Campbell (Borussia Dortmund/GER; Peachtree City, Ga.; 4/2), 20-Zavier Gozo (Real Salt Lake City; Eagle Mountain, Utah; 12/2), 13-Peyton Miller (New England Revolution; Unionville, Conn.; 7/1), 9-Marcos Zambrano (Real Salt Lake; Gladwyne, Pa.; 14/6)
A RECORD-SETTING NIGHT
The U.S. opened its World Cup campaign with a 9-1 win over New Caledonia, who was making its World Cup debut. Benjamin Cremaschi became the third U.S. player to record a hat trick at the U-20 World Cup and finished with five overall goal contributions. Nolan Norris also bagged a brace, while Niko Tsakiris, Frankie Westfield, Taha Habroune and Cole Campbell also found the back of the net. The 9-1 scoreline was a record for most goals in a match for the U.S. at the U-20 World Cup as well as its largest margin of victory.
FRANCE OPENS WITH TOUGH BATTLE
In the day’s first Group E match, France weathered the storm against South Africa to pull out a 2-1 victory thanks to an 80th minute winner from Lucas Michal. Les Bleus began the match on the front foot, with wave after wave of attack until Anthony Bermont opened the scoring in the 25th minute. Less than 10 minutes later, France were called for a penalty following a video review. South Africa’s Jody Ashene buried his penalty to equalize. The teams traded scoring opportunities the rest of the match. South Africa forced the issue in the final moments, but the French defense held out to secure an important three points.
CREMASCHI BECOMES THIRD TO THREE
With his three goals against New Caledonia, Benjamin Cremaschi became the third U.S. player to score three goals in a FIFA U-20 World Cup match. Chris Faklaris was the first to do it in a 6-0 win over Türkiye on March 7, 1993, before Freddy Adu equalled the feat in a 6-1 win against Poland on July 3, 2007.
GUESS WHO’S BACK, BACK AGAIN
With his goal against New Caledonia, Niko Tsarkiris became the first U-20 MNT player to score goals in multiple U-20 World Cups. Tsakiris previously tallied in the 2-0 group stage finale against Slovakia during the 2023 tournament in Argentina.
CONTINENTAL DOMINANCE
With its win over New Caledonia, the U.S. improved to 5W-0L-0D against teams from the Oceania Football Confederation in the U-20 World Cup. The USA has scored at least three goals in every match and has outscored its opponents 26-1.
USA ROSTER NOTES
- Players born on or after Jan. 1, 2005, are age-eligible for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
- Head coach Marko Mitrović selected 11 players born in 2005, eight born in 2006 and two born in 2007.
- The roster features players from 19 clubs, including 16 from 12 different Major League Soccer teams. San Diego FC leads the way with three selections, followed by two each from Colorado Rapids and Real Salt Lake. Five players are based abroad: two in Germany, and one player each in Italy, Portugal and Spain.
- The USA qualified for the 2025 U-20 World Cup after a runner-up finish at the 2024 Concacaf U-20 Championship in Mexico. The USA rolled through the group stage with wins against Jamaica (9-0), Cuba (4-0) and Costa Rica (1-0), before a 1-0 quarterfinal victory against Guatemala and 2-1 semifinal win over Panama. Despite taking the lead, the USA fell 2-1 in extra time to hosts Mexico in the final.
- Every player on the roster has been capped at the U-20 level, led by Niko Tsakiris’ 23 appearances.
USA VS. FRANCE
- Thursday marks the third meeting between the USA and France at the FIFA U-20 World Cup. The U.S. is 1W-0L-1D in its two previous meetings.
- The USA and France played to a 1-1 draw in the group stage finale of the 2013 tournament in Istanbul, Turkey.
- The two nations met six years later in the 2019 Round of 16, with the USA earning a 3-2 win in Bydgoszcz, Poland.
- During this U-20 cycle, the U.S. utilized goals from Cole Campbell and Taha Habroune to defeat France 2-1 on Nov. 18, 2024 in Marbella, Spain.
- This year marks France’ ninth overall appearance at the FIFA U-20 World Cup and its fourth-straight time making the field.
- In 2023, France finished third in a group that included Gambia, Korea Republic, and Honduras. Les Bleus didn’t advance out of the group stage.
- Sixteen players on France’s 21-man roster are based domestically. Five are based abroad, with two players in Italy and one apiece in Belgium, Portugal, and Spain.
- French coach Bernard Diomède was a member of France’s 1998 World Cup champion team. He started all three matches of the group stage and in the Round of 16 that year.
FRANCE – 2025 FIFA U-20 WORLD CUP ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (3): 1-Lisandru Olmeta (Bastia), 16-Tao Paradowski (Pau), 21-Justin Bengui (RWDM/BEL)
DEFENDERS (7): 2-Grady Beyuku (Modena/ITA), 3-Justin Bourgault (Brest), 4-Steven Baseya (Alverca/POR), 5-Elyaz Zidane (Real Batis/SPA), 12-Anthony Bermont (Lens), 14-Noham Kamara (Paris Saint-Germain), 15-Bradel Kiwa (Monaco)
MIDFIELDERS (5): 6-Ilan Touré (Monaco), 8-Rabby Nzingoula (Strasbourg), 10-Mayssam Benama (Annecy), 17-Andréa Le Borgne (Como/ITA), 19-Fodé Sylla (Lens)
FORWARDS (6): 7-Lucas Michal (Monaco), 9-Quentin Ndjantou (Paris Saint-Germain), 11-Tadjidine Mmadi (Marseille), 13-Moustapha Dabo (Nantes), 18-Gabin Bernardeau (Nice), 20-Djylian N’Guessan (Saint-Étienne)
HOW THEY GOT HERE
- France secured one of UEFA’s five World Cup spots with a runner-up finish at the 2024 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.
- In the group stage, France beat Türkiye 2-1, doubled up Denmark 4-2, and drew 2-2 with Spain. By finishing at the top of the group, France officially qualified for the U-20 World Cup.
- In the knockout stage, France defeated Ukraine 1-0 in the semifinals before falling to Spain in the final, 2-0.
U-20 WORLD CUP HISTORY
The United States has qualified for 18 of 24 all-time U-20 World Cups, tied for second-most all-time with Argentina. The biennial tournament was staged for the first time in 1977 and Tunisia hosted the inaugural event, originally held as the FIFA World Youth Championship before becoming the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2007. The USA’s first qualification came at the 1981 tournament, which was held in Australia.
The USA has made it out of the group stage 12 times at the competition with the high watermark coming in 1989. Led by future legendary USMNT goalkeeper Kasey Keller, the U.S. finished fourth place in Saudi Arabia that year. Keller took home the Silver Ball at the tournament, while fellow future senior team players Mike Burns, Neil Covone and Chris Henderson also played key roles. While the U-20s advanced from group play with just one win, the USA took down Iraq in the quarterfinals before falling in extra time to Nigeria in the semis.