Citlalli Reyes became the player with the most appearances in FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup history. Mexico's captain reached 13 matches on 25 October 2026 during her side's 1-0 win over Australia in the final round of Group F in Rabat, Morocco. The record spans three tournament editions; it does not mean 13 games or 13 goals in a single edition.
How Reyes reached 13 appearances
Before the 2026 World Cup, FIFA credited the midfielder with ten appearances across the 2024 Dominican Republic and 2025 Morocco editions. Mexican newspaper RÉCORD breaks that total down into three matches in 2024 and seven in 2025. Reyes then played all three of Mexico's 2026 group matches, against Spain, Chile and Australia, to reach 13.
| Edition | Matches played |
|---|---|
| Dominican Republic 2024 | 3 |
| Morocco 2025 | 7 |
| Morocco 2026, through 25 October | 3 |
| Total through 25 October 2026 | 13 |
The previous record was 12 matches, shared by Deyna Castellanos, Verónica Herrera, Eva Navarro and Claudia Pina, according to FIFA's pre-tournament statistical preview. This measure covers matches actually played in U-17 Women's World Cup finals across editions, not squad call-ups or qualifying appearances.
Why this is different from the goalscoring records
Three different statistics stand out at the 2026 tournament. Reyes holds the all-time record for match appearances. DPR Korea's Yu Jong-hyang, meanwhile, finished the group stage with 13 goals across U-17 Women's World Cups, the cumulative career goals record. USA forward Maddie DiMaria scored 11 goals in the 2026 edition alone, setting the single-edition goals record, according to FIFA's figures released on 26 October.
Reyes and Yu therefore have the same number, 13, attached to different measures: one counts games and the other goals. Concacaf reports that Reyes had scored five goals in her 13 World Cup matches by the Australia fixture. Her goal total does not change the basis of her appearance record.
The record-setting match and what comes next
Reyes scored the only goal against Australia in the 35th minute, meeting a pass from Natalia Pérez with a first-time finish, according to Concacaf. The victory at the Mohammed VI Football Complex left Mexico second in Group F with six points from two wins and one defeat.
As checked on 26 October 2026, Mexico had qualified to face Nigeria in the round of 16, scheduled for 29 October. Another appearance would extend Reyes's record. The figure of 13 describes her tally at the end of the group stage, not a final total for Mexico's entire campaign.
