The next generation of global superstars is heading to Qatar! From the shock absence of defending champions Portugal to the return of heavyweights like Brazil, Argentina, and Spain, here is everything you need to know about the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup groups, dates, and venues.
Chelsea’s ownership group has reportedly beaten Manchester United and Manchester City in the chase for Mohamed Zongo, one of Africa’s most exciting young footballers, with the Burkina Faso midfielder set to join Strasbourg in 2027 when he turns 18. The deal, agreed with Sporting Football des Cascades Tenakourou, marks the latest step in Chelsea’s long-term recruitment project, which has increasingly focused on identifying global talent years before they reach senior breakout status.
Portugal secured their first-ever Under-17 World Cup title courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Austria in the final in Qatar on Thursday and Cristiano Ronaldo, arguably the greatest Portuguese player of all time was first in line to offer his congratulations with a simple but very effective message to his huge audience of 668 million followers on Instagram.
Portugal have won the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup after a 1-0 triumph over Austria at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on Thursday. Portugal came into this tournament after winning the U17 European Championship and have now added the U17 world title to their crown. This is also their first-ever U17 World Cup title in history.
The final of the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup is upon us. The best youth sides of the competition will go head-to-head at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha to win the ultimate youth crown. We might even see the future stars of world football win their first major silverware in Qatar. Let's take a look at the iconic venue that will shine a bright light on the youngsters.
Manchester City and Manchester United have entered a fierce battle to sign Burkina Faso sensation Mohamed Zongo, the 15-year-old attacking midfielder who dazzled at the U17 World Cup. Both clubs have already held talks with the Tenakourou Academy as Europe’s elite begin circling for a prodigy who produced goals, assists and man-of-the-match displays to lead Burkina Faso to the quarter-finals.
The 2025 edition of the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar is the first FIFA World Cup across any level or age group to feature 48 teams and in many ways, the hosts Qatar have laid down a blueprint of what a 48-team international tournament could be hosted without any of the logistical and infrastructural nightmares that generally come with it.
England have been eliminated from the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in spectacular fashion, losing 4-0 against Austria in the round of 16. Alejandro Gomes Rodriguez's red card shortly after the Young Lions fell behind early in the second half proved to be a crucial moment, with Austria eventually going on to run up the score-line in the latter stages of the knockout tie.
With the next four editions of the FIFA U17 World Cup, apart from the 2025 edition currently in full swing, set to be held in Qatar, there is every chance that we might see the next superstar of global football announce himself to the world in the Middle-East nation.
Reigan Heskey, the son of former Liverpool and England legend Emile, has overtaken Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho with his goals at the Under-17 World Cup. England secured their spot in the last 32 in Qatar as they finished second to Venezuela in Group E. The Young Lions then eased into the last 16 of the tournament as they got the better of South Korea on Saturday.
The United States saw their FIFA U17 World Cup run end in the Round of 32 after a dramatic 1-1 draw and a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat to Morocco. Jude Terry’s early strike had the Americans in control for much of the match, but Abdellah Ouazane’s 90th-minute equalizer forced the shootout that ultimately sealed their exit.
From Cavan Sullivan exceeding expectations to a quietly solid back line, GOAL breaks down five key takeaways on the U.S. U17s ahead of their World Cup clash with Morocco.
In many ways, the 2025 edition of the FIFA U17 World Cup is perhaps the most revolutionary or unique. Currently being held in Qatar, this is a tournament which has transformed the way the world will see expanded global tournaments, thanks to a multitude of factors including the number of teams, compactness of the venue and more.
Mathis Albert made history for the U.S. U-17s, firing a decisive 39th-minute strike to seal a 1-0 win over the Czech Republic and a perfect group-stage record - the first in program history. The victory at ASPIRE Academy in Doha capped three straight wins in Group F, sending the Americans into the knockout rounds with maximum points.
The 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup, underway in Qatar, is a 48-team mega event. This is the first time a 48-team World Cup is being held across any category and the hosts Qatar have utilised a world-class facility to organise an ultra-compact tournament. Here we take a deeper dive into the features of the Aspire Zone which is hositng the tournament in Doha.
England beat Egypt 3-0 on Monday at the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar to seal second place in their group and secure safe passage into the round of 32. Manchester City star Heskey was once again on song for the Young Lions, scoring twice goals, although he passed up the chance for a hat-trick in the second half when a penalty was comfortably saved by Egypt's goalkeeper.
England's Young Lions needed just 14 minutes to open the scoring against Egypt at the Under-17 World Cup on Monday in Qatar. Manchester City star Reigan Heskey broke the deadlock with an excellent solo goal to give his team a great start to the match. His strike continued some fine form for the forward who played a key role last time out against Haiti as England won for the first time at the tournament.
The 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup, currently underway in Qatar, has been revolutionary for multiple reasons. But the biggest change has been the fact that it is the first 48-team World Cup across any level and Qatar's organisation of an ultra-compact tournament has come in for high praise from former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre.
The U.S. booked their place in the knockout stage of the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup after Cavan Sullivan’s calmly taken second-half penalty secured a 2-1 win over Tajikistan on Saturday in Qatar. The Union prodigy showed composure beyond his years with the spot kick, scoring with a panenka, capping a resilient display as the Americans overturned an early deficit to claim their second straight victory.
The Day Pass ticket concept at the FIFA U17 World Cup has been a gamechanger for fans interested in high-quality football, having the freedom to enjoy multiple games in a single day in Qatar. The Aspire Zone, which is hosting the matches of the tournament across eight pitches, has seen Qatar offer a great opportunity for fans.
Manchester City starlet Reigan Heskey, the son of former Liverpool striker Emile, helped to give England lift-off in their U17 World Cup campaign as he inspired an 8-1 victory over Haiti. Having lost their opening game of the tournament in Qatar, the Young Lions knew that three points were imperative in their second Group E fixture. Neil Ryan's side ultimately eased over that line.
Rising star Cavan Sullivan came off the bench for the U.S. in Wednesday's U17 World Cup opener, but the Philadelphia Union attacker made the difference in a 1-0 win over Burkina Faso. His late goal sealed three points for the U.S. as they began the tournament in Qatar. Sullivan was tossed into the fray with the game scoreless in the 62nd minute.
The 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup has kicked off in Qatar. With a barrage of high-quality youth football set to be unleashed in the Aspire Zone in Doha, we could witness the next star of the game make their name in the Middle-East nation. Let's take a look at five players who could be the stars of the tournament.
England have been left licking their wounds after opening the 2025 Under-17 World Cup in Qatar with a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Venezuela. A previous generation of Young Lions including Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho lifted the trophy in 2017, but this team lacked a ruthless edge as two quickfire Venezuela goals from captain Roman Davis and Dioner Fuentes near the end of the first half killed England, before a late third from substitute Eider Barrios.
Cavan Sullivan and Mathis Albert are among the headliners on a 21-player squad that will represent the United States in the upcoming U17 World Cup. Gonzalo Segares announced his squad on Thursday, and it includes plenty of firepower, headlined by the Philadelphia Union midfielder and the rising Borussia Dortmund star. The roster features players from 15 clubs.
Two decades have passed since Mexico shocked the world in Peru with a 3-0 victory over Brazil in the 2005 U17 World Cup final. For many fans, that night at the Estadio Nacional remains one of the defining moments in Mexican football history. The tournament launched the careers of players such as Carlos Vela, Giovani dos Santos and Héctor Moreno.
The tickets for the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup and 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup are set to go on sale. Both tournaments will be held in Qatar later this year with venues used for the 2022 World Cup set to be utilised again.
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