Argentina
How they qualified: South American U-17 Championship sixth place
Previous participations: 15
Best U-17 World Cup result: Third (1991, 1995, 2003)
Coach: Diego Placente
De Martis, who made his debut for the Lanus first team in August, was the top scorer in the South American U-17 Championship. A predatory and clinical striker, de Martis is particularly strong in the air and told FIFA it is an area of his game that has “come on leaps and bounds”.
Belgium
How they qualified: UEFA Under-17 European Championship semi-finalists
Previous participations: 2
Best U-17 World Cup result: Third (2015)
Coach: Bob Browaeys
Scouted by PSV Eindhoven when he was barely six years old, Fernandez is a regular scorer and creator in Belgium’s U-17 team. The winger, who can also play as an attacking midfielder, made headlines when he scored a fantastic direct free-kick against England at the UEFA U-17 EURO, just before being subbed with a broken nose.
Tunisia
How they qualified: CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finalists
Previous participations: 3
Best U-17 World Cup result: Round of 16 (2007, 2013)
Coach: Mohamed Amine Naffati
The Roma goalkeeper enjoyed a very impressive U-17 AFCON, recording two clean sheets in four matches and conceding only twice overall. The 16-year-old’s standout display came against Senegal on matchday two, when he made several fine saves to earn his team a goalless draw. Bouaskar is coach Mohamed Amine Naffati’s undisputed No1 and will be key to Tunisia’s hopes in Qatar.
Fiji
How they qualified: OFC U-16 Championship runners-up
Previous participations: 0
Best U-17 World Cup result: N/A
Coach: Sunil Kumar
The outstanding central midfielder was the star of the Junior Bula Boys’ qualification for both the current edition of the U-17 World Cup, as well as the next one. Sitting at the base of the midfield he is the central controller for Sunil Kumar’s side and possesses exceptional tactical awareness, technical quality on the ball as well as being a threat from set-piece situations.
