Qatar Kicks Off FIFA U-17 World Cup Against Italy in Doha

Doha, Qatar, will welcome the world as the 20th edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup kicks off tomorrow, featuring a record 48 national teams. The tournament runs from October 30 to November 27, 2025, and marks the first of five consecutive tournaments hosted in Doha through 2029.

The opening match will see the Qatar national team take on Italy at 18:45 (local time) on Pitch No. 7 at Aspire Academy. This match is part of Group A, which also includes South Africa and Bolivia. Qatar aims for a strong start, hoping to improve upon its best-ever result of fourth place, achieved in the 1991 edition in Italy.

Extensive Preparations and Match Schedule

Under the guidance of Spanish coach Alvaro Mejia, the Qatari squad has engaged in extensive preparations, including participation in various tournaments. Recently, they conducted an overseas training camp, where they faced tough opponents, losing to Belgium and Croatia, but securing a win against Ukraine. The team also utilized the GCC U-17 Cup last month to maximize player experience in different lineups.

The tournament’s opening day features eight matches before the official opening ceremony. The first match will pit Bolivia against South Africa at 15:30 on Aspire Field No. 3. Other notable matches include Costa Rica facing the United Arab Emirates and Morocco challenging Japan.

New Format and Group Divisions

This year’s tournament introduces a new format, expanding from 24 to 48 teams, divided into 12 groups of four. Each group will play in a round-robin format, with the top two teams and the eight best third-placed teams advancing to the knockout stage. This change marks a significant evolution in FIFA’s approach to youth tournaments, transitioning to an annual schedule rather than every two years.

The knockout rounds will include the Round of 32, Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and culminate in the final on November 27 at the iconic Khalifa International Stadium, a venue renowned for its role in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Prior to the tournament, FIFA organized the draw in Doha, placing Qatar in Pot 1, reflecting its status as host nation. The group allocations are 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, Côte d’Ivoire, 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, Ireland
• Group K: France, Chile, Canada, Uganda
• Group L: Mali, New Zealand, Austria, Saudi Arabia

The local organizing committee is committed to ensuring a successful tournament, leveraging Qatar’s extensive experience in hosting major sporting events. With the tournament being held entirely in one location, fan zones are planned around the stadiums to enhance the atmosphere and engage spectators throughout this exciting football festival.