Canada secured a 2-1 victory over France on Saturday, clinching the top spot in Group D at the FIFA Women’s under-17 World Cup with their third consecutive win. Melisa Kekic scored for Canada, putting them ahead 1-0 at halftime at the Football Academy Mohammed VI in Salé, Morocco. French defender Oceane Moreau Tranchant scored an own goal in the second half, extending Canada’s lead.
France mounted a late comeback with Lea Morissaint narrowing the score to 2-1 in the 63rd minute. However, the Canadian win was overshadowed by substitute Reed Tingley’s expulsion in the 86th minute. Tingley received a second yellow card from referee Lara Lee for impeding a French player during a throw-in, despite disbelief as she had assisted in Canada’s second goal. Tingley’s first yellow card came in the 64th minute for a tackle from behind.
Both Canada and France entered the match tied on points, but Canada held the lead in goal difference (plus-nine compared to plus-three) after defeating Nigeria 4-1 and Samoa 6-0 previously. The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-place finishers, progress to the Round of 16 in the 24-team tournament continuing until November 8.
By winning the group, Canada avoided facing Spain in the Round of 16, a team that finished as runners-up in 2024 and champions in 2018 and 2022. France, with a 2-1-0 record, will now face Spain (3-0-0), while Canada will take on a third-place finisher from Group B, E, or F on Wednesday.
Canada’s most successful tournament result was fourth place in 2018, with previous quarterfinal appearances in 2008, 2012, and 2014. The Canadian team took an early lead in the 14th minute through Kekic’s goal from close range after a corner was not cleared properly by the French defense.
Despite France outshooting Canada 21-8 (with 7-5 shots on target) and having eight corners to Canada’s one, they lacked efficiency in front of goal. Canada received five yellow cards, while France was cautioned twice. Video review led to two yellow cards in the first half, one each for Canada’s Naomi Lofthouse and France’s Stella Grondin.
Canada’s coach, Jen Herst, made six changes to the starting lineup, emphasizing rotation. The Canadian team did not participate in the 2024 FIFA U-17 tournament but qualified for the seven prior editions. France qualified for the tournament after reaching the semifinals at the 2025 UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship.
North Korea, the defending champion, has claimed the FIFA U-17 title three times and finished as runners-up once, while Spain has been a finalist four times, winning twice.