The next generation of soccer stars will showcase their talents on the biggest stage at the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025, which kicks off in Qatar on Monday.
Expanded to 48 teams, the tournament is set to deliver an unprecedented spectacle.
Recommended stories
1 List of itemsend of list
Here’s what you need to know about the featured event.
What are the important dates?
The FIFA U-17 World Cup will be held in Qatar from November 3, starting with two matches: South Africa vs. Bolivia and Costa Rica vs. United Arab Emirates.
The final will be held on November 27th, concluding the 104-game tournament.
Group Stage: November 3rd-11th Round of 32: November 14th and 15th Round of 16: November 18th Quarterfinals: November 21st Semifinals: November 24th Third Place Match: November 27th Finals: November 27th
Where will the competition be held?
Qatar will host five consecutive U-17 World Cups starting this year.
In the 2025 tournament, all matches up to the final will be played on eight pitches at the Aspire Zone complex in Al Rayyan, about 9 km (5.6 miles) from the center of the capital Doha.
The final will be played at the 45,857-capacity Khalifa International Stadium, which hosted six matches during the 2022 FIFA World Cup Men’s Tournament. Built in 1976, this stadium is one of the oldest in Qatar.
This tournament will be the third time the U-17 World Cup has been held in the Arab world, following Egypt in 1997 and UAE in 2013.
How many teams are participating?
The 2025 U-17 World Cup will be held for the first time in a 48-team format, rather than the previous biennial 24-team tournament.
Participating countries from the six federations are divided into 12 groups as follows:
⚽Group A: Qatar, Italy, South Africa, Bolivia
⚽Group B: Japan, Morocco, New Caledonia, Portugal
⚽Group C: Senegal, Croatia, Costa Rica, United Arab Emirates
⚽Group D: Argentina, Belgium, Tunisia, Fiji
⚽Group E: England, Venezuela, Haiti, Egypt
⚽Group F: Mexico, South Korea, Ivory Coast, Switzerland
⚽Group G: Germany, Colombia, North Korea, El Salvador
⚽Group H: Brazil, Honduras, Indonesia, Zambia
⚽ Group I: United States, Burkina Faso, Tajikistan, Czech Republic
⚽Group J: Paraguay, Uzbekistan, Panama, Republic of Ireland
⚽Group K: France, Chile, Canada, Uganda
⚽Group L: Mali, New Zealand, Austria, Saudi Arabia
What is the tournament format?
The top two teams in each of the 12 groups and the top eight teams in third place qualify for the Round of 32.
From then on, the tournament will be played in a knockout format with rounds of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals.
Why is the U-17 World Cup important?
The Youth World Cup is exciting to watch as it showcases young talent before they break out on the biggest professional stage and provides a glimpse into the future of soccer.
The U-17 World Cup has special meaning as it is often the starting point for tomorrow’s stars.
Current and retired players who have shined in the world’s top soccer leagues, such as Cesc Fabregas, Toni Kroos and Phil Foden, first came to global attention at the Under-17 World Cup, each winning the Golden Ball award given to the tournament’s best player.
Who is the winner?
Brazil are Qatar’s favorites to qualify for a record-equalling fifth U-17 World Cup. Brazil, who enter the tournament as the reigning South American champions, are arguably the best team in the region, having held that crown a record 14 times.
Nigeria’s failure to qualify for this World Cup means the Brazilians are the most successful team in the 2025 tournament.
Other favorites include Portugal, who won their third U-17 Euro title in June, and France, who often perform well in major tournaments.
Germany has been the defending World Cup champion since 2023, but expectations for this year are low as they failed to advance through the group stage at the Euros.
Two-time World Cup champions Mexico are also favorites to win after reaching the finals for the eighth year in a row, but Asian champions Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia could be dark horses.
Who are the top players to watch?
Italian attacking midfielder Samuele Inacio was the top scorer in the Euro finals with five goals and is one of the players to watch at this tournament. Inacio, who plays in Borussia Dortmund’s youth organization, is a constant goal threat thanks to his sublime creativity up front.
France forward Gillian Noguessan, who scored nine goals in the Euro qualifying and final, is also a key player in the region, known for his link-up play, calm finishing and excellent technique. Nguessan, 17, also represented his country at the recent Under-20 World Cup in Chile.
Argentina failed to advance to the semi-finals of the U-17 South American Championship, but striker Tomas de Martis was the top scorer with six goals. De Martis is clinical and finishing in the box, and also has excellent aerial attacking ability.
Sadridin Hasanov, who was named the MVP of Uzbekistan’s U-17 Asian Cup victory for his goal-scoring ability and impressive skills, is also on the list of players to watch, along with Morocco’s midfield maestro Abdellah Ouazane, who was the tournament’s player of the match when they won their first African U-17 Cup of Nations title.
Where can I buy tickets and watch the tournament?
Tickets for the U-17 World Cup are on sale to the public and can be purchased on FIFA’s official platform. There will be five types of tickets available, including a one-day pass, a ticket for all matches in host country Qatar, and a single ticket for the finals.
A day pass with access to six selected pitches costs about $5.50, while tickets for the finals start at about $4.
Broadcasters from selected regions have been announced, including Brazil, Italy, the UK, and the US.
Qatar will make history this year as five countries will participate in the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the first time 🙌
🇸🇻El Salvador
🇫🇯Fiji
🇮🇪 Republic of Ireland
🇺🇬Uganda
🇿🇲Zambia pic.twitter.com/oiOyOwyiLj— FIFA (@FIFAcom) April 19, 2025
