FIFA U17 World Cup 2025: Teams, Venues, and Groups

There will be a significant paradigm shift in youth football in 2025, thanks to the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Qatar will host the tournament, which will be held from November 3 to 27. This is the 20th edition of the event, and for the first time, it will feature 48 teams competing over a 25-day schedule, making it the largest U-17 World Cup to date. Several teams represent more youth talent. And, of course, fans will enjoy thrilling football around the world. Catch FIFA U17 World Cup 2025: Teams, Venues, and Groups.

Qatar: Host Nation for 2025–2029

Concerning strategy, FIFA has boldly decided to proclaim hosting the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar for five consecutive years — from 2025 to 2029 —as a means to utilise existing stadiums and facilities and promote sustainability in world football. Qatar has consistently demonstrated its ability to host mega events with great success. The maiden 2022 FIFA World Cup and the ongoing 2023 AFC Asian Cup have proven successful ventures, demonstrating that Qatar has everything in place. With top-class infrastructure in place, Qatar is ready for the tournaments. FIFA wants to ensure the tournaments run smoothly and thrillingly. This decision underlines Qatar’s growing involvement in the future of international football.

Tournament Dates and Venue

The 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup is scheduled to take place from November 3 to 27. All the matches will be held at the Aspire Zone in Al Rayyan, famous for its world-class sports facilities. It features eight splendid football pitches, with the centrepiece being Khalifa International Stadium. Here, the tournament’s final will be held, seating 45,857. The stadium was also used during the 2022 FIFA World. Modern design and comfort lined up for such great events. Aspire Zone is thus set to provide an amazing platform for young talents to shine in Qatar.

Expanded Format: 48 Teams and New Structure

The format for the FIFA U-17 World Cup has undergone significant changes from previous years. In 2025, it will feature 48 teams competing in four mini-tournaments, each consisting of 12 teams. This is in stark contrast to the 24-team tournament format previously used. These 12 teams will then be divided into three groups of four teams each. The four teams will now play round-robin matches, with the winners of each group advancing to the knockout stage.

Also, the team will be the best second-place finisher in each mini-tournament to the next knockout stage. That is, each grouping will engage in quarter-finals and semi-finals against all those who have qualified. Therefore, there will be four winners from each mini-tournament who will advance to the semi-finals. The two finalists will play in a final for the world title. This way, there will be more games and opportunities for emerging young stars.

Qualified Teams

As of May 2025, several teams have secured their spots through regional qualifiers:

AFC (Asia): Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, UAE, North Korea, Tajikistan

CAF (Africa): Burkina Faso, Mali, Morocco, South Africa, Zambia, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Tunisia, Egypt, Uganda

CONCACAF (North, Central America, and Caribbean): El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Haiti, Mexico

CONMEBOL (South America): Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia

OFC (Oceania): Fiji, New Zealand, New Caledonia

Host Nation: Qatar

Notably, debutants include El Salvador, Fiji, the Republic of Ireland, Uganda, and Zambia. There’s no representation from AFCON.

Official Group Stage Draw – FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025

The FIFA U17 World Cup 2025 official draw was held on May 25, 2025. The ceremony took place in Doha, Qatar. It revealed the matchups for the tournament’s new 48-team format. This is the first time the U-17 World Cup will feature such a large number of teams. Global football powerhouses and debutant nations were placed into 12 groups. Therefore, each group consists of four teams. Fans around the world watched the draw. It built excitement for the upcoming event. The tournament will run from November 3 to 27. Matches will be played in Al Rayyan’s Aspire Zone. The draw sets the stage for thrilling action. Fans can expect fierce competition and the emergence of future stars.

Below are the official groupings:

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

Korea Republic

Côte d’Ivoire

Switzerland

Group G

Germany

Colombia

Korea DPR

El Salvador

Group H

Brazil

Honduras

Indonesia

Zambia

Group I

United States (USA)

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

These groupings set the stage for a thrilling youth football festival, with many intriguing matchups and fresh talent expected to shine. All matches will be played in Aspire Zone, Al Rayyan, with the Khalifa International Stadium hosting the final.

Defending Champions and Notable Teams

Germany comes into the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup as the defending champion. They won their first U-17 World Cup title in 2023. The team will look to defend their crown in Qatar. Germany’s strong youth system makes it a top contender again. Other major teams will also draw attention. Brazil has a long and successful history in youth football. Hence, they have won multiple U-17 titles.

Mexico is another strong team with consistent performances at this level. France also brings a rich legacy in youth tournaments. These teams can make a deep run in the competition. Fans can look forward to exciting matches featuring world-class young talent. These rising stars of football are poised to dominate the world in the coming decade.

Marketing and Emblem

The official logo of the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup was unveiled on May 12, 2025. It is the start of a new chapter for young football. It captures Qatar’s culture and enthusiasm for football, depicting the nation’s dedication to excellence as a host of international events. The logo seamlessly combines traditional elements with contemporary style, embodying unity, dynamism, and optimism. The release of the emblem created a buzz for the tournament and established the tone for a landmark event.

Conclusion for FIFA U17 World Cup 2025

The 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup is a significant shift in youth football. The new format features 48 teams, double the number competing previously. This provides more youth players with an opportunity to demonstrate their talent worldwide. Therefore, the tournament will now occur annually, providing additional opportunities to discover talent. Qatar will host the following five editions from 2025 through 2029. This indicates Qatar’s increasing position in global football. The nation is determined to nurture the sport. It will enhance youth football development globally by hosting various tournaments. Viewers can anticipate thrilling matches and new talents from this level.