Gender differences in phases of play by match outcomes and football confederations during the FIFA U-20 World Cup

The aim of this study was to analyze gender differences in phases of play according to match outcomes and football confederations during the FIFA U-20 World Cup. A total of 104 matches were analyzed (52 in each tournament). Phases of play were categorized into “In possession” and “Out of possession.” Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA), principal components analysis (PCA) and linear mixed model (LMM) were applied. PCA revealed the following component scores: Positional Build-up Play (17.1%), Defensive Pressing Intensity (16.1%), Final Third Play (14.9%), Defensive Block Height (12.4%), and Line-Breaking Efforts (7.6%). The “Defensive Pressing Intensity” was a key factor associated with victories for the women’s teams. Meanwhile, the “Defensive Block Height” and “Final Third Play” were related to winning outcomes for the men’s teams. The “Final Third Play” was greater among men’s teams across all confederations, with particularly high values observed in CONMEBOL. In contrast, UEFA and CONCACAF teams displayed a more “Positional Build-up Play.” In conclusion, gender differences exist in the phases of play among U-20 national teams. These findings highlight the importance of advancing long-term talent development in elite youth football.