Maddie is a two-time St. Louis Champions League winner with Cor Jesu High School.

DiMaria: USA will give everything to win World Cup

Published FIFA.com

8 Oct 2026

USA forward Maddie DiMaria discusses her experience at the U-17 Women's World Cup 2025, hopes for Morocco 2026 and collegiate future at North Carolina.

It’s not often that a 17-year-old can say that she’s a wizened veteran, but that just so happens to be the case for USA forward Maddie DiMaria. The St. Louis, Missouri native will be one of the leaders for head coach Ciara Crinion at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026™ one year after taking part in the 2025 edition.

Drawn into Group E with China PR, Kenya and Samoa, DiMaria and Co will attempt to become the first USA team to lift the U-17 Women’s World Cup trophy, the lone piece of hardware missing from the women’s football coffers at US Soccer headquarters.

Just months after the global finals, DiMaria will then embark on a new adventure playing for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels, a women’s soccer program that has produced the likes of Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Tobin Heath and countless more FIFA Women’s World Cup™ winners. But first things first, as DiMaria tells FIFA, her full focus is on Morocco 2026.

FIFA: How are things going with getting ready for Morocco?

Maddie DiMaria: I feel really good about our preparation. As a team we've worked super hard, grown together, and just learned a lot from every single camp and game we've been in. I'm really excited to see all that work come together on the biggest stage at the World Cup. It's an incredible honor to represent my country again, and I think as a team we're ready to compete.

How different does it feel this time around going into your second World Cup?

It definitely feels a little different. I think last year I learned a lot. It taught me to stay composed, embrace each moment and just take it one game at a time. I learned how to trust myself, trust my team-mates and ultimately just stay focused on what we have right in front of us. I feel like I'll bring that in with me this year. As a team, we're here, we're ready to compete, give everything we have and hopefully bring the World Cup home.

What is one of your favorite moments from the 2025 tournament?

One of the biggest moments for me at the World Cup was scoring a goal in the China game. It really made me realize, 'I'm here'. It was such a surreal moment for me. I think just getting the opportunity to play and be out there with all the girls is an unbelievable experience and something that I never thought I'd get to do twice.

USA v China PR | Group C | FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2025™ | Highlights

Watch the highlights between USA and China PR played at Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 3) on Tuesday 21 October at 17:00 (local time).

You also had an assist and were named Player of the Match against China. Is that your best performance in a USA shirt?

It is definitely one of the greatest accomplishments that I've had the opportunity to earn in a USA shirt. Each game, I just hope to go out there and work my hardest and give my all. You're playing for a team that's so much bigger than yourself. Every single time I put on the crest, it's my duty to work my hardest, so I was super excited to earn that honour.

How do you feel about this 2026 team?

I feel confident and excited about this team. This is my age group, so I've had the opportunity to play with them a ton for the last three years under coach Ciara [Crinion]. We are strong as a group, both on and off the field and hopefully we're going to put together a string of some amazing performances.

What do you like best about playing for coach Crinion?

I love coach Ciara. I love how she believes in us and pushes us to be our best each and every day that we're in camp. I feel like she prepares us really well for each opponent and gives us the confidence to go out there and play our game. She creates an environment where we can be ourselves, enjoy the game, and have fun while still holding us accountable and to the highest standard. Individually, she brings out the best in all of us and sets us up for success as a team. It’s awesome to have a coach who believes in you so much.

What are your thoughts on your group opponents?

We're hoping to win our group, win all three games and start off really strong in the tournament. Getting to play China again is super exciting for me. I think they were a great team and having another look at them is awesome. Samoa and Kenya, obviously, we don't get the opportunity to play them as often, so being able to play three teams that you normally don’t have the opportunity to play against is so exciting.

What are the biggest keys to USA winning the title?

I think we just need to focus on being each other's biggest fans and competing as a group. We need to do everything as a team, like recover as a team, play together, and make sure that winning the World Cup is our No1 goal. We are going to embrace every single opportunity and moment we have over there and give everything we have to bring home that World Cup.

In 2027 you are going to play college soccer at North Carolina, where greats like Mia Hamm and Tobin Heath starred. How excited are you?

I'm so, so excited. I have a few team-mates with me on the [North Carolina] roster who are coming to the World Cup. I've made a lot of great friends through there. UNC is such a decorated program and they have shown that they develop players and athletes at the highest level. I'm super excited to join the team, call that place home and see how they continue to develop and push me as a player, both on and off the field.