Eight intriguing contests are primed to unfold when the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ gets under way on Monday. Hosts Qatar will take on Italy in the day’s headline clash, while South American giants Argentina, UEFA U-17 European Championship winners Portugal and African champions Morocco are also in action.
Group A
15:30 in Doha
14:30 in Pretoria
08:30 in La Paz
Speaking to FIFA ahead of the U-17 World Cup, South Africa playmaker Emile Witbooi declared his team’s ambition to “show people what we’re made of”. Bafana Bafana can expect a stern test, however, against a Bolivia outfit primed to make their first appearance at the tournament since 1987.
18:45 in Doha
16:45 in Rome
One of the standout group-stage clashes will see European giants Italy take on Qatar. Will the Azzurrini prevail, or can the home fans inspire the host nation to a famous victory?
Group B
16:30 in Doha
22:30 in Tokyo
14:30 in Rabat
Morocco head into the tournament high on confidence after winning the CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year. A showdown high on technical quality can be expected against Japan, who coach Nozomi Hiroyama said “have plenty of players who can turn the tide of a game by themselves”.
18:15 in Doha
02:15 in Noumea (on Tuesday, 4 November)
15:15 in Lisbon
New Caledonia will be out to cause an early shock as they take on Portugal. The Portuguese are the reigning European champions and will be among the favourites to lift the title.
Group C
15:30 in Doha
06:30 in San Jose
16:30 in Abu Dhabi
Costa Rica star Thiago Cordero told FIFA that his side have the hunger to “make history” by advancing beyond the U-17 World Cup quarter-finals for the first time. The UAE, however, will be just as determined to make their mark after a 12-year absence from the finals.
16:00 in Doha
13:00 in Dakar
14:00 in Zagreb
Ousseynou Ndiaye (pictured below) will be among the Senegalese stars aiming to shine in Qatar. They will face a compelling opening-day test against Croatia, who coach Marijan Budimir insisted will be fuelled by their deep national pride.
Group D
17:45 in Doha
11:45 in Buenos Aires
15:45 in Brussels
Two global heavyweights will collide in a Group D clash sure to set pulses racing. Argentina are out to win the only global FIFA football crown they have yet to claim, while Belgium will be striving to build on an impressive UEFA U-17 EURO campaign, where they reached the semi-finals.
18:45 in Doha
16:45 in Tunis
03:45 in Suva (on Tuesday, 4 November)
Fiji coach Sunil Kumar recently told FIFA his team want “to show the world the Fijian style of football”. They will aim to do so against Tunisia, whose coach is also full of belief ahead of the tournament. “This team has huge potential,” said Mohamed Amine Naffati. “We’re on the way up and we need to show we’re ready to have a good World Cup.”
