Tanzania drawn into formidable Brazil, England and Canada challenge at Women’s U20 World Cup

Tanzania will begin their first-ever Women’s U20 World Cup campaign against Brazil before facing England and Canada in a demanding opening-round group.

The Tanzanian side made history by qualifying for the tournament for the first time, securing their place after eliminating Cameroon. Their debut will now take them up against three established teams with significant experience of the competition.

Their campaign in Poland starts against Brazil on 5 September. Brazil have appeared at the Women’s U20 World Cup 12 times but have never won the title. Their best results came in 2006 and 2022, when they finished third.

That record places considerable expectation on Brazil, while their repeated involvement in the tournament gives them an experience advantage over Tanzania as the African side prepare for their first appearance on the global stage.

Tanzania’s second match will be against England on 8 September. England have participated six times, fewer than Brazil, but they have also reached the latter stages of the competition. They were semi-finalists and went on to claim the bronze medal at the 2018 edition.

The final group-stage fixture for Bakari Shime’s team will be against Canada on 11 September. Canada were runners-up in 2002 and will be making their 10th appearance at the tournament, having already taken part on nine previous occasions.

Tanzania therefore face opponents with a combined history of regular participation and strong finishes in the competition. Brazil’s two third-place finishes, England’s bronze medal in 2018 and Canada’s run to the final in 2002 underline the scale of the challenge awaiting Shime’s players.

For Tanzania, however, qualification itself represents a landmark moment. After overcoming Cameroon to reach the tournament, they will now have the opportunity to measure themselves against Brazil, England and Canada in their first appearance at this level.

The fixtures also give the Tanzanian team a clear sequence for their opening campaign: an immediate test against Brazil, followed by England three days later, before they conclude the first round against Canada.

Tanzania’s Women’s U20 World Cup schedule

– 5 September, 13:00: Brazil v Tanzania – 8 September, 16:00: England v Tanzania – 11 September, 13:00: Tanzania v Canada