France
How they qualified: UEFA Under-17 European Championship runners-up
Previous participations: 8
Best U-17 World Cup result: Winners (2001)
Coach: Lionel Rouxel
Camara captained the France side which finished as U-17 EURO runners-up in June. “He’s an influential player in a team, both on and off the pitch,” said coach Lionel Rouxel. “For a 17-year-old, his athleticism is really impressive. Plus, he’s always in a good mood.” A Montpellier academy product who is now with Udinese in Italy, Camara idolises France FIFA World Cup™ winner Paul Pogba.
Chile
How they qualified: South American U-17 Championship fourth place
Previous participations: 5
Best U-17 World Cup result: Third (1993)
Coach: Sebastian Miranda
Yanez enjoyed his standout moment for the national team when he scored in Chile’s stunning 3-2 victory over Argentina in the South American U-17 Championship. The attacker, who is based in the United States and represents New York City FC, is named after French legend Zinedine Zidane. His father wanted to call him Zinedine, but his mother would only agree to Zidane.
Canada
How they qualified: Concacaf U-17 World Cup qualifying group winners
Previous participations: 8
Best U-17 World Cup result: Group stage (1987, 1989, 1993, 1995, 2011, 2013, 2019, 2023)
Coach: Mike Vitulano
A fast and tricky left-footed winger, Jimoh offers Canada dynamism, unpredictability and end product. His promise was underlined last November when he was invited to join a senior national team training camp by coach Jesse Marsch. Born to Nigerian parents, Jimoh’s football hero is Super Eagles playmaker Jay-Jay Okocha.
Uganda
How they qualified: Won CAF U-17 World Cup play-off
Previous participations: 0
Best U-17 World Cup result: N/A
Coach: Brian Ssenyondo
Bogere wrote his name into Ugandan football history when he bagged a brace in his nation’s U-17 World Cup play-off against The Gambia. Those goals earned his nation a come-from-behind 2-1 victory, and a first-ever qualification for a FIFA World Cup™ at any age level. Bogere’s strikes offered a snapshot of his clinical finishing ability, as he rifled home a volley before curling in another fine effort.
