Latest news with #FIFAU-17WorldCup


Qatar Tribune
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar Football Association holds its 2025 General Assembly
Tribune News Network Doha The Qatar Football Association (QFA) held its 2025 General Assembly meeting on Monday at the Ritz-Carlton Doha. The session was chaired by His Excellency Jassim bin Rashid Al Buainain, President of the QFA, and attended by members of the Executive Committee, the General Secretary, club representatives, heads of departments, and local media. The meeting began with the confirmation of a legal quorum per the QFA statutes, followed by the adoption of the agenda. A short documentary highlighting the achievements of Qatar's national teams and clubs during the 2024–2025 season was screened. In his opening remarks, HE Al Buainain thanked club members for their efforts and collaboration in advancing developmental plans. He congratulated teams that secured titles last season and expressed optimism for others in the coming year. He also emphasized the national team's progress: 'The high level displayed by local clubs will significantly benefit our national teams, including youth squads—the backbone of our football future.' He wished success to new coach Lopetegui and called for unified support ahead of key matches against Iran and Uzbekistan. Additionally, HE Al Buainain highlighted Qatar's upcoming hosting of the FIFA U-17 World Cup and the FIFA Arab Cup in November and December, expressing confidence in delivering world-class events. He extended gratitude to sponsors, partners, and the media for their unwavering support. The Assembly reviewed several agenda items, including the approval of the previous year's minutes and the President's activity report. Financial statements, the annual budget, and auditor appointments were also ratified. Proposals from members and the Executive Committee were discussed, with closing remarks by the President.


Scoop
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Fiji, New Caledonia And New Zealand Find Out Their Opponents For FIFA U-17 Men's World Cup
Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation The FIFA U-17 World Cup has been expanded to 48 teams with 12 groups of four. The top two teams in each group, along with the eight best third-placed sides, will qualify for the Round of 32. OFC champions New Zealand have been drawn in Group L alongside Mali, Austria and Saudi Arabia for the FIFA U-17 World Cup to be played in Qatar in November. Martin Bullock's side defeated Fiji in the final of the OFC U-16 Men's Championship in Tahiti last year. Fiji coached by Sunil Kumar, have been handed a difficult draw, pitted against South American powerhouse Argentina, European giants Belgium and North African side Tunisia. New Caledonia who finished third at the OFC U-16 Men's Championship to clinch Oceania's final spot, have also drawn some heavyweight opponents, facing Japan, Morocco and Portugal in Group B. The FIFA U-17 World Cup has been expanded to 48 teams with 12 groups of four. The top two teams in each group, along with the eight best third-placed sides, will qualify for the Round of 32. From the Round of 32 onwards, the tournament will be played in a knockout format. The tournament runs from the third to 27th November in Qatar.


Scoop
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Fiji, New Caledonia And New Zealand Find Out Their Opponents For FIFA U-17 Men's World Cup
OFC champions New Zealand have been drawn in Group L alongside Mali, Austria and Saudi Arabia for the FIFA U-17 World Cup to be played in Qatar in November. Martin Bullock's side defeated Fiji in the final of the OFC U-16 Men's Championship in Tahiti last year. Fiji coached by Sunil Kumar, have been handed a difficult draw, pitted against South American powerhouse Argentina, European giants Belgium and North African side Tunisia. New Caledonia who finished third at the OFC U-16 Men's Championship to clinch Oceania's final spot, have also drawn some heavyweight opponents, facing Japan, Morocco and Portugal in Group B. The FIFA U-17 World Cup has been expanded to 48 teams with 12 groups of four. The top two teams in each group, along with the eight best third-placed sides, will qualify for the Round of 32. From the Round of 32 onwards, the tournament will be played in a knockout format. The tournament runs from the third to 27th November in Qatar.


Time of India
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
India must aim to qualify regularly for FIFA U-17 World Cup: Bibiano
Bibiano Fernandes will turn his focus to the U-17 national team ahead of the SAFF U-17 Championship and AFC Asian Cup qualifiers to be held in November Panaji: Bibiano Fernandes' record with India's junior teams has been impressive. It was during his time at the helm that India were one win away from making it to the FIFA U-17 World Cup, losing a close game against Asian giants South Korea. At regional championships, India have been in a league of their own. By winning the SAFF U-19 Championship on penalties against Bangladesh on Sunday, India have shown that they are the best in South Asia. But, with Bibiano as coach, that's hardly the target. It's much bigger, like making it to the age-group World Cup on sporting merit. 'We can achieve this dream (of playing in the World Cup),' Bibiano told TOI in a recent interview. 'I was on the sidelines when the U-17 team played against South Korea and we were one match away from qualifying for the U-17 World Cup (in 2018). The youth set up is getting better. There are many games. RDFL has also helped a lot. But we still need to do more. If we start doing it right now, we will knock on the doors of the U-17 World Cup soon,' said Bibiano. These are not just words. This is a dream. Bibiano returned to the national team after cutting short his stint at Bengaluru FC. The 48-year-old had only two months to prepare for the SAFF tournament as he joined the Indian junior coaching set up. 'Frist, I thought it would be difficult because time was very short. But I saw the talent we have and was happy with their level,' said Bibiano. 'Most of the players are with ISL teams and training with their seniors. That has helped gain this level and it in turn helped us a lot. To be honest, I did not expect that they would play so well,' he added. The fans too played a crucial role as they turned out in large numbers at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh. The team will now begin their preparations for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers, to be held next year. Until then, Bibiano will turn his focus to the U-17 national team ahead of the SAFF U-17 Championship and AFC Asian Cup qualifiers to be held in November. India made their debut at the U-17 World Cup in 2017 at home but has missed out on qualification ever since. The following year, with Bibiano in charge, they came close to progress on sporting merit after a narrow 0-1 defeat at the hands of heavyweights South Korea in the AFC U-16 quarterfinals in Kuala Lumpur. Bibiano now wants to complete unfinished business. 'We were close,' he remembered. While the India men's senior team has dropped to 127 in the latest FIFA rankings, it has shown that investing in grassroots is the country's best bet of making it to the global stage. 'We can aim for the U-20 World Cup and gradually the senior team can dream. (For that to happen) We must target the U-17 World Cup every edition and be consistent. Hopefully, in six to seven years, we will qualify regularly,' said Bibiano.


The Hindu
13-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025 — Qatar unveils new emblem for inaugural 48-team tournament
The FIFA U-17 World Cup, which has previously been a launchpad for icons like Ronaldinho, Xavi, Luis Figo and Neymar, had the official emblem of its 2025 edition unveiled on Monday. The tournament, which started in 1985 as a 16-team tournament, has been expanded to 48 teams in 2025, and will take place in Qatar — a country that has previously hosted the senior men's World Cup in 2022 and the AFC Asian Cup last year. The U-17 World Cup, which was played as a biennial tournament (except during the pandemic that forced it to happen after four years), will now be played annually, and Qatar will host the next five editions of the tournament, from 2025 to 2029. The previous edition of the World Cup saw youngsters like Paris Brunner (right) and Agustín Ruberto (not in picture) take centre-stage, with Germany beating France 4-3 on penalties to win the title. | Photo Credit: AP 'The FIFA U-17 World Cup has proven to be an important stepping stone for the next generation of the world's best young footballers, who display exceptional skill and dedication,' Mattias Grafström, FIFA's Secretary General, said. 'The tournament's new official emblem emphasises the team spirit, youthful audacity, remarkable strength, and optimism which will be on full display in November 2025. 'The well-proven ability of Qatar as a host of FIFA events, merged with the country's exceptional infrastructure and warm hospitality, will provide the perfect stage for this historic competition.' New emblem used negative space as spotlight The new emblem incorporates the coveted trophy as negative space within the 'U' of 'U-17', creating a bold silhouette that also represents a spotlight, which is the core symbol of the tournament's new identity. The result is an engaging brand that respects the FIFA U-17 World Cup's heritage, while looking ahead to the future of the game, as FIFA and the host nation join forces to illuminate emerging players, who are firmly at the heart of the story. The warm, overlapping layers of colour radiate outwards, representing football's worldwide reach, inclusivity and dynamism, highlighting the discovery and growth of young talent. 🌟 A fresh new emblem for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ has been unveiled! The first-ever 48-team edition kicks off this November in Qatar. ⚽🌍@RoadtoQatar | @RoadtoQatar_en — FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) May 12, 2025 'Since the start of this decade, Qatar has delivered world-class football events on the regional, continental and global levels. 'Turning our attention to youth tournaments was the natural next step, stemming from our long-term investment in youth development in sport,' said Qatar's Minister of Sports and Youth and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani. Spots secured! A warm welcome to the U-17 qualified teams making their way to Qatar! 🇶🇦🎉 — The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (@RoadtoQatar_en) April 12, 2025 The previous edition of the World Cup saw youngsters like Paris Brunner and Agustín Ruberto take centre-stage, with Germany beating France 4-3 on penalties to win the title. For the 2025 edition, 48 teams have already qualified, with the draw set to take place in Doha on May 25.