FIFA U-20 World Cup champions all-time list by year: Which national team has won the most times?

Since its inception in 1977, the FIFA U-20 World Cup has been a proving ground for soccer’s rising stars. Each tournament tells a story of emerging talent, unforgettable matches and nations staking their claim on the global stage.

Some countries have dominated eras, while others have pulled off shocking upsets. Year by year, the list of winners reflects the shifting power, capturing moments that often forecast the sport’s future icons.

Tracking the winners across decades reveals patterns of excellence and fleeting brilliance alike. From breakthrough triumphs to repeated successes, the all-time list of champions paints a vivid picture of youth soccer’s evolving landscape.

Who is the reigning FIFA U-20 World Cup champion?

Morocco is the current champion of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, having clinched their historic first title at the 2025 tournament held in Chile. Entering the final as underdogs, Morocco struck fast and lethally to deflate Argentina and cruise to an unforgettable 2-0 victory.

Teammates of Uruguay U20 celebrate with the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup trophy. (Source: Ernesto Ryan/Getty Images)

The Moroccans came out of the locker room determined to dictate the pace of the game in the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup Final. It yielded results almost immediately, as Yassir Zabiri converted a threatening spot kick just inches outside the penalty box 12 minutes into the game. At the midway point of the first half, Zabiri made another appearance to cement his place as Argentina’s reaper. Off an efficient counterattack, Othmane Maamma delivered a cross to the goal scorer, who slotted it home for the decisive 2-0 lead.

Morocco was already acknowledged as an up-and-coming powerhouse in world soccer. However, the U-20 Atlas Lions’ conquest in Chile cemented their place as a force to be reckoned among the elite. Morocco hoisted Africa’s first FIFA U-20 World Cup since 2009, when Ghana was crowned in Cairo, Egypt.

While many believed Argentina would run away with yet another World Cup championship, Morocco showcased an unparalleled will to defy all odds and come out on top while playing over 6,000 miles away from the Kingdom of Light.

Which country has won the most FIFA U-20 World Cups?

When discussing dominance in the FIFA U-20 World Cup, one nation stands above all others: Argentina. The South American giants hold the unequivocal record for the most titles won, boasting an impressive six championships in the tournament’s history.

Sergio Aguero and Maximiliano Moralez with the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada trophy in 2007. (Source: Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

This exceptional record speaks to Argentina’s long-standing culture of nurturing young talent, a tradition that saw legends like Diego Maradona (1979) and Lionel Messi (2005) make their global breakthrough on the U-20 stage.

The core of their dominance came between the mid-1990s and mid-2000s under the guidance of coach Jose Nestor Pekerman, who led them to an incredible three titles in just four editions (1995, 1997 and 2001). Argentina added two more trophies in 2005 and 2007, often demonstrating a flair and tactical intelligence unmatched by their peers.

While their fierce continental rivals, Brazil, trail close behind with five titles, Argentina’s unmatched haul of six cements their status as the most successful nation in the competition’s four-decade history.

While coming in second is never a reason for jubilation in South America—especially when it comes to national soccer teams—Argentina has finished as runner-up twice (1983 and 2025), while Brazil has lost four finals (1991, 1995, 2009, and 2015). Reaching the decisive stages of the tournament further cements their place as hotbeds of world soccer talent.

FIFA U-20 World Cup champions all-time list by year