Yu Jong-hyang

Yu Jong-hyang (Korean: 유정향; born 18 August 2009) is a North Korean footballer who plays as a forward for Naegohyang Sports Club. She won both the Golden Ball and the Golden Boot at the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup after finishing as the tournament's top scorer with eight goals.

Early life Yu Jong-hyang was born in North Korea on 18 August 2009. Her first documented international appearance came at the 2024 EAFF U-15 Women's Championship in Dalian, China, where she scored twice in a 4–0 victory over Chinese Taipei.

International career North Korea U17 Yu was promoted to the under-17 side for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco.

On 24 October 2025, she scored twice in a 5–0 group-stage win over the Netherlands. Four days later, on 28 October, she added two goals in a 6–1 round-of-16 victory over Morocco. She scored both goals in North Korea's semi-final win over Brazil on 5 November. Yu started in the final against the Netherlands on 8 November, which ended in a 3–0 win for North Korea, as the team secured its fourth under-17 world title.

Yu's eight goals earned her the Golden Boot, while coaches and media voted her the tournament's best player, awarding her the Golden Ball.

She was later included in the squad for the 2026 AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup, scoring five goals in a group-stage match against Chinese Taipei.

Honours North Korea U17 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup: 2025 AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup: 2026

Individual FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Golden Ball: 2025 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Golden Boot: 2025 AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup Golden Boot: 2026 AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup Most Valuable Player: 2026