The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ started off with a bang, as the likes of Japan, South Africa and Tunisia collected impressive wins. Meanwhile, both Argentina and Portugal rallied for victories, but hosts Qatar came up just shy against Italy.
Group A
South Africa goals: Witbooi (38), Bohloko (50), Els (90+5)
Bolivia goal: Maraude pen (72)
Player of the match: Kamohelo Mareletse (South Africa)
Goals from Emile Witbooi, Neo Bohloko and Shaun Els earned 10-player South Africa a superb win over Bolivia.
Bafana Bafana were dealt a significant blow when Sive Pama was sent off midway through the first half, but Witbooi soon fired them in front before Bohloko added a second from close range. Bolivia pulled one back through Jesus Maraude’s Panenka-style penalty, but Shaun Els’ late breakaway effort put the result beyond doubt.
Italy goal: Inacio (19)
Player of the Match: Samuele Inacio (Italy)
Qatar’s passionate fans backed their team with ear-splitting noise from first minute to last, but Italy ultimately earned a hard-fought win. A fine first-half goal from Samuele Inacio proved decisive, with the striker finishing expertly from Benit Borasio’s inch-perfect through pass. Qatar battled hard to get back into the game, but the Italians defended superbly to bank maximum points.
Group B
Japan goals: Seguchi (57) Hirashima (90+8)
Player of the Match: Daigo Hirashima
Japan opened a sixth straight U-17 World Cup with victory as they powered beyond Morocco. The AFC giants looked to have opened the scoring in the first half when Anthony Motosuna headed home, but he was adjudged to have fouled goalkeeper Chouaib Bellaarouch.
They wouldn’t be denied for long, though, as Hiroto Asada drove through the heart of the Morocco backline and set up Taiga Seguchi, who unleashed a terrific first-time effort into the far corner. Minato Yoshida thought he’d netted a second soon after, only for play to be pulled back for handball. They would eventually make the game safe in the dying embers, with Daigo Hirashima rifling in from just inside the box.
New Caledonia goal: Wamowe pen (11)
Portugal goals: Cabral (22, 47), Manuel (52), Mide (59), Furtado (85), Neto (90+7)
Player of the match: Stevan Manuel (Portugal)
Portugal overcame a sluggish start by scoring five unanswered goals to down New Caledonia.
New Caledonia jumped out to a shock lead when a video review led to a penalty, and Ezekiel Wamowe converted the spot-kick. But Anisio Cabral spearheaded the comeback, equalising via a header and then giving his side the lead early in the second half with an easy finish. Stevan Manuel, Mateus Mide, Mauro Furtado and Jose Neto tacked on goals as well to complete the scoring.
Group C
Costa Rica goal: Bennette (62)
United Arab Emirates goal: Adel (59)
Player of the Match: Gabriel Sibaja (Costa Rica)
Ten-player Costa Rica claimed a hard-fought draw against United Arab Emirates.
The game sparked into life just after the half-hour, as Isaac Badilla was sent off for a last-player tackle on Faysal Mohammed. UAE made use of their numerical advantage shortly after the break, as Mayed Adel bundled home a corner. That lead lasted barely three minutes, though, with Yerlan Sosa’s centre causing chaos in the UAE box, allowing Nick Bennette to lace home from just beyond the penalty spot.
Player of the Match: Vincent Gomis (Senegal)
Defences were on top in this one, as Senegal and Croatia played out a goalless draw.
The Europeans dominated the first half and ought to have taken the lead deep into it. Patrik Horvat saw his shot from the edge of the area parried by Vincent Gomis straight to Jona Benkotic, who cleared the crossbar with the goal gaping. Both pushed in the second period, but neither side could find the breakthrough.
Group D
Argentina goals: Tulian (36), Jainikoski (68), Esquivel (71)
Belgium goals: De Kimpe (45+4), Naert (59)
Player of the Match: Simon Escobar (Argentina)
Argentina squeaked by Belgium in an early contender for match of the tournament. Diego Placente’s men hit the front through a neat Ramiro Tulian finish, only for Arthur De Kimpe to strike back with a rasping drive.
A well-worked Stan Naert goal then gave the Belgians the lead on the hour mark, as Ali Camara squared for the forward to tap in. The game was turned on its head inside four crazy minutes, though, with Facundo Jainikoski netting before fellow substitute Felipe Esquivel drilled in another fine goal. Belgium sub Rene Mitongo then passed up two great chances to level, allowing the South Americans to collect all three points.
Tunisia goals: Slama (30, 53), Tayechi (36, 86), Saidi (74), Haj Abdallah (80)
Player of the match: Fedi Tayechi (Tunisia)
Tunisia delivered a commanding performance to cruise past Fiji.
The North Africans hit their stride beginning at the half-hour mark, with Wassim Slama beating the goalkeeper at the near post with a clever shot and then a superb strike from Fedi Tayechi. Slama got his second by pouncing on a rebound, followed by a powerful right-footed finish from Anisse Saidi. Saifedin Haj Abdallah made it five with a composed curler from inside the area and Tayechi put on the finishing touches with a strike in the waning minutes.
What they said…
“When we were one man down, we still kept pushing each other. It’s all about teamwork. For me, it’s a dream come true to be here. I always wanted to reach this stage, and I am chasing my dreams.”
Kamohelo Mareletse, South Africa midfielder and player of the match
“The team did very well, we managed to hold on despite being a man down and we’re ready to keep competing. The next match will be a close contest against Senegal, but we’ll compete well”.
Nick Bennette, Costa Rica goalscorer
“As we expected, it was a tough match where we knew that a single goal could greatly influence the outcome. We managed to score the opener and then add another, which allowed us to control the game in a good way.”
Nozomi Hiroyama, Japan coach
“The players need to stop thinking about this defeat, even though it’s a tough one. We’ll make amends against Portugal. We have confidence in these players; they are capable of getting through this group.”
Nabi Baha, Morocco coach
“We knew it was going to be the most difficult match in the group because Belgium play very well, as well as being physically and technically outstanding. I’m happy for the team because they showed character on two occasions to come back from behind and win.”
Diego Placente, Argentina head coach
“We had a lot of opportunities and the lack of efficiency made us get to half-time with the game tied. But we kept calm to start strong in the second half and it didn’t take long for us to be in front.”
Bino Macaes, Portugal coach
“The key was the focus. We stayed together. We have a lot of confidence for this tournament. We did a great EURO (reaching the semi-finals) and we are ready to have a great World Cup.”
Samuele Inacio, Italy goalscorer and player of the match
“We played against a really good team, but the idea was to go out and compete. We competed. I am proud of the players and now we are going to come back against another strong team in South Africa.”
Alvaro Mejia, Qatar coach
“I’m very proud of this Player of the Match trophy, it will motivate me to continue giving my all during the next matches. The first 30 minutes were tough, but then we managed to find some spaces after that and we kept on pushing to score. We have the ambition to go very far in this competition: we didn’t come here to make up the numbers.”
Fedi Tayechi, Tunisia Player of the Match
“It’s a great team which drew against Croatia. Our strength is our collective vertues. We’ll help one another to be able to go far in this competition, thanks to the quality of this squad.”
Etienne Mendy, Senegal forward
“It was a very tough match and a very tough opponent. We knew that from the start, from the first to the last minute, they were going strong. And in the first half, we missed a few chances that we should score. The match would be much easier for us. But one point is a good thing at the end and we just need to keep going for the next match.”
Jona Benkotic, Croatia winger
