Preparations for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2022™ have taken an exciting step forward today after the match schedule and date for the Official Draw for the tournament were announced by FIFA and the Local Organising Committee (LOC).

With the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ just over 18 months away, some of the world’s best young players and future superstars of the women’s game will showcase their skills later this year at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, which will take place in Costa Rica from 10 to 28 August 2022.

As part of the match schedule that was unveiled today, 32 matches involving 16 women’s national youth teams from around the world will be played in two Host Cities – San José and Alajuela.

Following the success of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2014™ hosted by Costa Rica, the iconic San José Estadio Nacional will host 18 matches at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2022, including the opening match and final, with Alajuela Morera Soto hosting the remaining 14 matches, including two quarter-finals.

With qualification ongoing and spots still up for grabs in some confederations, FIFA and the LOC have also announced that the Official Draw for the tournament will take place on 5 May.

Taking place at the Teatro Nacional in San José, the Official Draw will coincide with celebrations for the “100 days to go” milestone until the opening match of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2022, as well as kicking off an exciting summer of women’s football. Shirley Cruz, a Costa Rican women’s football icon, and member of the LOC, believes that holding the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica will leave an important legacy in the country.

“Hosting the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica will offer an important platform for the development of women’s football. It will change many aspects of the game, with significant positive effects for women. Vamos juntas [let’s do this together] as the slogan states, and let’s do it with great strength and enthusiasm”, said Cruz.

Sarai Bareman, FIFA Chief Women’s Football Officer, said: “With preparations well underway, the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2022 is on course to be an incredible celebration of women’s football with an exciting new generation of superstars set to showcase their skills on the world stage less than a year before the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.

“As well as showcasing the future stars of the women’s game, the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2022 will also be an important platform to inspire and create more opportunities for women and girls of all ages across Costa Rica and around the world. “With the match schedule and date for the Official Draw now set, players and fans from around the world can start to finalise their plans and preparations for what will be an important and exciting tournament later this year.”

Victor Umaña, CEO of the Local Organising Committee for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2022, said:

“Costa Rica is ready to welcome the delegations of the teams that have qualified for this World Cup. It will be an unforgettable event where we will celebrate the values of sisterhood and hope. We are sure that the message behind the tournament slogan Vamos Juntas will resound with all fans around the world.”

More information on ticket prices and availability at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2022 will be announced by FIFA in the first half of 2022. For the latest news about the tournament and women’s football, please visit FIFA.com.