2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup

Last updated
2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup
كأس العالم تحت 17 سنة قطر 2026
Tournament details
Host countryQatar
DatesNovember
Teams48 (from 6 confederations)
← 2025
2027 →

The 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup will be the 21st edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, the annual international men's youth football tournament contested by the under-17 national teams of the member associations of FIFA. It is will be held in Qatar in November. [1] This edition is the second edition of the annual cycle adopted by FIFA for the U-17 World Cup as well as the second to be played in a 48-team format (previously, held as a biennial 24-team tournament). [2] As part of these changes, FIFA also granted Qatar the hosting rights for the tournament for a five-year period from 2025 to 2029. [3]

Contents

Host selection

On 15 November 2023, FIFA launched a global call for expressions of interest from member associations to host the next five editions of the U17 World Cup (2025–2029) as a single consolidated package. Member associations had to express their interest no later than 4 December 2023. [4] [5]

After a FIFA Council meeting held on 14 March 2024, it was announced that Qatar would host the next five editions of the U-17 World Cup (2025–2029), as part of the new annual cycle implemented by FIFA for the tournament. [6] [7] Although FIFA did not disclose whether there were other interested member associations, a joint bid by Indonesia and Singapore and another by Denmark were known to have been submitted. [8] [9] This is the first time that Qatar hosts the FIFA U-17 World Cup and the third time that the tournament is held in the Arab world.

Teams

Qualification

A total of 48 teams qualified for the final tournament. In addition to Qatar, who qualified automatically as the host nation, the other 47 teams qualified from six separate continental competitions. The slot allocation per confederation was approved by the FIFA Council meeting held on 15 May 2024: [10]

Qualifying tournamentTeamQualification dateAppearance(s)Previous best performance
TotalFirstLastStreak
Host nationFlag of Qatar.svg  Qatar 14 March 20249th 1985 2025 2Fourth place (1991)
2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup
2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations
2026 CONCACAF U-17 World Cup qualification
2026 South American U-17 Championship
2025 OFC U-16 Men's Championship New Caledonia flags merged (2017).svg  New Caledonia 27 August 20254th 2017 2025 3Group stage (2017, 2023, 2025)
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 12th 1997 2025 10Round of 16 (2009, 2011, 2015)
Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 30 August 20252nd 2025 2Group stage (2025)
2026 UEFA U-17 Euro qualification

See also

Notes

    References

    1. ↑ "Qatar appointed as host of FIFA U-17 World Cup annually from 2025 to 2029". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 14 March 2024.
    2. ↑ Onyeagwara, Nnamdi (14 March 2024). "FIFA men's U17 World Cup increasing to 48 teams with next five to be held in Qatar". The New York Times .
    3. ↑ "FIFA U-17 World Cup expands to 48 teams". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 14 March 2024.
    4. ↑ "Circular no. 1864 Expression of interest to host upcoming FIFA tournaments" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 15 November 2023.
    5. ↑ "FIFA gave MAs 20 days to bid for U-17, 5-year hosting packages before handing rights to Qatar and Morocco". Inside World Football. 27 March 2024.
    6. ↑ "FIFA Council takes key decisions ahead of the 74th FIFA Congress". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 14 March 2024.
    7. ↑ "Qatar to Host FIFA U-17 World Cup for Next Five Editions". Qatar Football Association. 14 March 2024.
    8. ↑ Deepanraj, Ganesan (4 December 2023). "Singapore and Indonesia express interest to co-host football's U-17, U-20 World Cup". The Straits Times .
    9. ↑ "FIFA moved goalposts as Danish bid for U17 World Cup ignored in favour of Qatar and Morocco". Inside World Football. 20 March 2024.
    10. ↑ "FIFA Council approves Women's International Match Calendar 2026-2029". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 15 May 2024.
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