The FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025 will be held between November 3 and 27 in Qatar. It is scheduled to take place just after the Arab Cup in the same country.
Though the dates were already planned, they got the International Football Association’s (FIFA) approval at its council meeting on March 5.
The U-17 World Cup started in 1985 with 16 teams, expanding to 24 sides in 2007. The 2025 edition will feature even more teams, with the total roster up to 48 countries.
The 2025 edition will also have a new format, with the competition divided into four mini-tournaments comprising 12 teams each.
Each of the smaller tournaments will have three groups of four countries each, with the matches being played on a single round-robin basis. The winners of each group and the best second-placed team would advance to the knockouts, consisting of semi-finals and final in the mini-tournament.
The four winners of each of the tournaments will then directly qualify for the semifinals of the original competition. From thereon, it will follow the conventional format of semis, third-place match and the final.
Of the 48, Europe continues to enjoy the lion’s share of spots in the tournament. Africa’s slots have undergone a major boost, from four to 10, while Asia will have nine countries playing in this World Cup.
Slots for confederations at FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025:
AFC (Asia): 9 (including the hosts Qatar)
CAF (Africa): 10
CONCACAF (North America, Central America and the Caribbean): 8
CONMEBOL (South America): 7
OFC (Oceania): 3
UEFA (Europe): 11
So far, 12 teams have confirmed their spot in the tournament, including host Qatar.
Fiji, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Panama and the USA are the other countries who have made the cut through their continental qualifiers.
“Qatar will once again bring people together from the region and beyond to celebrate the beautiful game in our football-loving nation,” H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Qatar’s Minister of Sports and Youth, and chairman of the LOC (Local Organizing Committee) for both tournaments, said in a release on Thursday.
“The FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 will capture the imagination of millions of football fans from around the region for a second time, while the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 offers a wonderful platform for young players to shine on a global stage.”
