Germany
How they qualified: Reached UEFA U-17 European Championship final tournament
Previous participations: 11
Best U-17 World Cup result: Winners (2023)
Coach: Marc Meister
Staff has been prolific for Germany at U-17 level, netting 13 times in 17 appearances for the national team. A natural-born goalscorer, he broke several records in local youth leagues. Last year, Staff was reportedly targeted by several top teams in Germany and abroad, but he opted to remain with Eintracht Frankfurt and signed a long-term contract with the club.
Colombia
How they qualified: South American U-17 Championship runners-up
Previous participations: 6
Best U-17 World Cup result: Fourth (2003, 2009)
Coach: Freddy Hurtado
Londono scored five goals in the South American U-17 Championship and looks primed to be one of Colombia’s leading lights in Qatar. Already part of the first team at club side Envigado, the striker starred as his team finished as runners-up at the continental championship, losing out on penalties to Brazil.
Korea DPR
How they qualified: AFC U-17 Asian Cup semi-finalists
Previous participations: 5
Best U-17 World Cup result: Quarter-finalists (2005)
Coach: Rim Choi-min
With a clearly defined tactical approach that demands relentless and intense pressing, forward Kim Yu-jin’s value to the Korea DPR side is in equal measure both with and without the ball. Dynamic, explosive and constantly on the move, the captain plays as part of the front two in a 4-4-2 set-up. As vital as he is out of possession, the 17-year-old from famed local side April 25, also possesses the ability to slice open opposition defences with his powerful running and willingness to shoot.
El Salvador
How they qualified: Concacaf U-17 World Cup qualifying group winners
Previous participations: 0
Best U-17 World Cup result: N/A
Coach: Juan Carlos Serrano
El Salvador’s captain and midfield general, Inojosa combines impressive vision and technique with the capacity to contribute vital goals. He was his team’s driving force during their perfect qualifying campaign. Speaking exclusively to FIFA, the Houston Dynamo player revealed he looks up to Real Madrid and Uruguay star Federico Valverde.
