FIFA has officially unveiled “Islana” as the mascot for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026 set to take place in Poland from September 5 to 27, 2026.
The mascot was introduced through FIFA’s official X account, with the organization describing the tournament as a key platform for showcasing the next generation of women’s football stars.
Softfootball understands that Islana is inspired by the rusalki, mystical water spirits from Slavic folklore. FIFA portrays the character as a playful guardian of nature, representing creativity, joy, energy, and the continued growth of the women’s game around the world.
FIFA posted:
Islana unveiled as FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026 mascot Poland is poised to take centre stage this September as the global platform on which a new generation of women’s football stars will shine and inspire the world.
The competition will feature 24 teams competing across four host cities: Łódź, Katowice, Sosnowiec, and Bielsko-Biała. The tournament will also mark Poland’s debut as host of the U-20 Women’s World Cup.
However, Afghanistan’s women footballers have spoken emotionally about regaining a sense of identity after FIFA approved their return to official international competition. The landmark decision by the FIFA Council allows Afghan female players to once again represent their country globally following years of uncertainty and restrictions.
The update comes amid a busy period for FIFA, which recently confirmed the dates for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026. The competition will run from November 19 to December 13, 2026, as Qatar prepares to host the expanded event.
Through these announcements, FIFA continues to push development and visibility for football across multiple levels of the global game.
