No nation has won the FIFA U-20 World Cup™ more often than Argentina, and they will begin their quest for a seventh star in Chile against Cuba. Brazil follow hot on their heels with five triumphs and face Mexico in a battle of two continental kings. Elsewhere, Morocco and Spain will do battle in Santiago, while Argentina 2023 runners-up Italy take on Australia in Valparaiso.
Fixtures
Sunday 28 September
Morocco v Spain
Italy v Australia
Brazil v Mexico
Cuba v Argentina
How to watch
You can purchase tickets to watch the stars of tomorrow play live here. You can also stream all matches for free on FIFA+.
Morocco v Spain
17:00 in Santiago
21:00 in Rabat
22:00 in Madrid
This bout marks Morocco’s first taste of U-20 World Cup action for some 20 years, when Mouhcine Iajour and Co led the Atlas Cubs to the semi-finals in the Netherlands. They’ll take on a Spain side who won last year’s UEFA U-19 EURO, and bring with them a serious hope of lifting this title for the first time since 1999.
Players to watch
Othmane Maamma
Maamma impressed at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations with his speed and dribbling skills, with the forward set to play a key role in Chile.
Iker Bravo
In a Spain squad packed with talismans, Bravo is perhaps chief among them. A deadly finisher inside the box, he is already making waves in Serie A with Udinese.
Italy v Australia
17:00 in Valparaiso
22:00 in Rome
06:00 on Monday in Canberra
While they are four-time winners of the FIFA World Cup™, Italy – who reached the final two years ago – are yet to taste success at the U-20 event. Their latest title tilt starts against an Australia side who are fresh off the back of a maiden AFC U-20 Asian Cup success, and will be hoping to end a run of four straight group-stage exits.
Players to watch
Paul Okon-Engstler
A cultured central midfielder, 20-year-old Okon-Engstler possesses exceptional tactical awareness, vision and passing, and is poised to be the Young Socceroos’ tempo-setter in South America.
Mattia Liberali
Attacking midfielder Liberali is considered one of his nation’s hottest talents, as he combines strong physical attributes with exceptional speed and is adept in tight spaces.
Brazil v Mexico
17:00 in Mexico City
20:00 in Santiago
20:00 in Brasilia
Both of these sides enter this tournament as champions of their respective continents. Brazil recovered from a 6-0 hammering by Argentina to win their record-extending 13th U-20 South American Championship title, while Mexico beat out all the competition to take their tally of Concacaf crowns to 14.
Players to watch
Pedro
A left winger with mercurial skill and staggering speed, the Corinthians academy product was one of Brazil’s standout performers in this year’s qualifying triumph.
Gilberto Mora
Aged just 16, midfielder Mora – who can play as a sitter or further up – combines the fearlessness of a young rising star with the calm head of a seasoned veteran.
Cuba v Argentina
19:00 in Havana
20:00 in Valparaiso
20:00 in Buenos Aires
Not since Türkiye 2013 have Cuba graced U-20 World Cup soil, with their debut outing ending in three straight defeats. Here, they’ll look to put that record straight but face an almighty task on opening day in the shape of Argentina. Diego Placente’s side netted a tournament-high 18 goals in qualifying, and will be one of the favourites to lift the trophy for a seventh time.
Players to watch
Karel Perez
Cuba’s captain led by example during the qualifiers, as the left-back starred in defence and netted against Jamaica and in the shootout win over Honduras.
Gianluca Prestianni
Prestianni has emerged as one of the great jewels of Argentine football, with his low centre of gravity and excellent technique earning him comparisons to World Cup winner Thiago Almada.
