The next generation of football stars will showcase their talent on the biggest stage when the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025 kicks off in Qatar on Monday.
With an expanded field of 48 teams, the tournament is set to deliver a spectacle unlike any before.
What are the key dates?
The FIFA U-17 World Cup will be held in Qatar from November 3, with two matches – South Africa vs Bolivia and Costa Rica vs the United Arab Emirates – kicking off the tournament.
The final will be played on November 27, marking the conclusion of the 104-match tournament.
- Group stage: November 3 to 11
- Round of 32: November 14 and 15
- Round of 16: November 18
- Quarterfinals: November 21
- Semifinals: November 24
- Third-place playoff: November 27
- Final: November 27
Where is the tournament being held?
Qatar will host five consecutive U-17 World Cups, starting this year.
At the 2025 edition, all matches up until the final will take place across eight pitches at the Aspire Zone complex in Al Rayyan, about 9km (5.6 miles) from the centre of the capital, Doha.
The final will be played at Khalifa International Stadium, the 45,857-capacity venue that hosted six matches during the men’s FIFA 2022 World Cup. Built in 1976, it is one of Qatar’s oldest stadiums.
This year’s tournament marks the third time the U-17 World Cup has been held in the Arab world, after Egypt hosted in 1997 and the United Arab Emirates in 2013.
How many teams are taking part?
The 2025 U-17 World Cup is the first to be played in the 48-team format instead of the previous biennial 24-team tournaments.
⚽ 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: US, Burkina Faso, Tajikistan, Czechia
⚽ 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, along with the eight best third-placed sides, will qualify for the round of 32.
From there on, the tournament will be played in a knockout format, featuring the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and the final.
Why is the U-17 World Cup important?
Youth World Cups are exciting to watch as they offer a glimpse into football’s future, showcasing young talents before they make their mark on the biggest professional stages.
The U-17 World Cup holds special significance as it often serves as a launchpad for the stars of tomorrow.
Retired and current players like Cesc Fabregas, Toni Kroos, and Phil Foden — who went on to shine in the world’s top football leagues — first caught global attention at the U-17 World Cup, each winning the tournament’s Golden Ball award for the best player.
