Chile Women’s U20 Team Eliminated from Sudamericano 2026

ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay – The Chilean Women’s Under-20 National Team concluded its participation in the 2026 CONMEBOL Sudamericano Femenino Sub-20 without securing a spot in the final hexagonal stage, following a scoreless draw against Venezuela on Tuesday. The result at the Estadio Félix Castillo Tardío in Asunción marked the end of a challenging tournament for La Roja, who finished last in Group A.

Chile’s campaign was characterized by a lack of offensive firepower, failing to find the back of the net in any of their four group stage matches. They faced a difficult opening match, suffering a 4-0 defeat against hosts Paraguay. A subsequent 0-0 draw against Colombia offered a glimmer of hope, but ultimately proved insufficient to propel them into contention for a qualifying spot for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.

The stalemate against Venezuela, while preventing a fourth consecutive loss, wasn’t enough to lift Chile off the bottom of the group standings. The team finished with two points, both earned from draws, and a negative goal difference. Venezuela, along with Paraguay and Colombia, advanced to the final round, vying for the four CONMEBOL berths at the U-20 World Cup.

The tournament’s structure sees the top four teams from the final hexagonal stage earn automatic qualification for the global competition. Brazil, the defending champions from the 2024 edition of the Sudamericano, are expected to be strong contenders in the final stage.

Chile’s performance raises questions about the development pathway for young female footballers in the country. While participation in the Sudamericano provides valuable experience, the lack of goals and overall competitiveness highlights the need for continued investment in youth programs and coaching infrastructure. The team’s struggles underscore the challenges faced by emerging football nations in South America, competing against established powerhouses like Brazil and Colombia.

The Chilean squad, coached by an unnamed coach as of this report, will now return home to begin preparations for future competitions. The focus will likely shift towards rebuilding and identifying new talent to strengthen the team’s prospects in upcoming tournaments. The absence of a qualifying spot for the U-20 World Cup represents a setback, but also an opportunity to reassess strategies and prioritize long-term development.

The 2026 CONMEBOL Sudamericano Femenino Sub-20, currently underway in Paraguay, features all ten CONMEBOL member associations. Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela are all competing for the coveted spots at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. Paraguay, as the host nation, will be looking to capitalize on home advantage and secure a place in Poland.

Looking ahead, the tournament will continue with the hexagonal final stage, where the remaining teams will battle for supremacy. The matches promise to be fiercely contested, as each nation aims to represent CONMEBOL with pride on the global stage. The competition provides a platform for showcasing the talent and potential of South American women’s football, and the results will have a significant impact on the future of the sport in the region.

Peru, another CONMEBOL nation participating in the tournament, currently holds a FIFA ranking of 79 as of December 11, 2025. They have a history in the Copa América Femenina, achieving their best result of third place in 1998. While their performance in the current U-20 tournament isn’t detailed in the available information, their participation underscores the growing commitment to women’s football across the continent.

The tournament in Paraguay is being held from February 4th to 28th, 2026, with a total of 16 matches played and 47 goals scored as of February 11, 2026, averaging 2.94 goals per match. The competition is a key event in the CONMEBOL calendar, providing a vital pathway for young South American players to showcase their skills and pursue their dreams of representing their nations at the highest level.