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The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 has reached the end of its group stage, which brought football fans together for a spectacular showcase of emerging talent from across the globe. Taking place at the state-of-the-art Competition Complex in Aspire Zone, this is the first FIFA World Cup to feature 48 teams, making this the biggest edition of the youth tournament in its history. The group stage featured 72 consecutive matches in nine days, which is a first for any FIFA competition, compared to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ which featured a total of 64 matches played over 29 days. A total of 250 goals were scored during the group stage. This is the first time ever a FIFA U-17 World Cup has crossed the 200-tournament goal milestone. The tournament also recorded the biggest victory in FIFA U-17 World Cup history, with Morocco’s 16-0 win over New Caledonia. **media[381043]** Amongst the top goal scorers, Czechia’s Vit Skrkon scored the first hat-trick of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 inside just seven minutes. Meanwhile, Belgium’s Rene Mitongo became the first player in this year’s tournament to register a super hat trick, scoring four goals in a 7-0 win against debutants Fiji. This is also the first FIFA World Cup to feature a knockout Round of 32. Debutants Republic of Ireland, Uganda and Zambia joined an impressive group of teams to the next round, including defending champions Germany and four-time winners Brazil. Three teams from the Arab world also qualified to the Round of 32: Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. “Qatar has created history yet again by hosting the biggest edition of a World Cup, which showcases the country’s organisational excellence in hosting world-class sporting events, and its commitment to youth football development,” said Jassim Al Jassim, CEO of the tournament’s Local Organising Committee (LOC). **media[381046]** “Over the nine days of a thrilling group stage, we welcomed tens of thousands of football fans, transforming the tournament into a one-of-a-kind football festival. The state-of-the-art pitches at Aspire Zone have proven to be a wonderful stage for emerging talents from across the globe, many of whom will go on to be future football stars. The centralised venue format has allowed everyone – from players to journalists and fans – to be at the heart of the football action and enjoy an exceptional tournament experience,” he added. FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström has said the expanded FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025 is taking global youth football “to the next level” after witnessing the gripping climax to the group stage in Qatar. “A lot of credit goes to the Local Organising Committee, who have done a truly fantastic job. In the Aspire Zone, you can move from one pitch to another and watch eight games in a single day, it’s really something remarkable. We already had a great FIFA World Cup here in 2022, but this takes it to an entirely new level for youth football,” said the FIFA Secretary General after attending several group-stage matches. **media[381045]** “I think our Qatari hosts have done a truly fantastic job here. I take my hat off to the entire team, together with the FIFA team for their great work. From what I’ve heard, the participating teams are extremely pleased with the hotels, training facilities, and the overall pitch conditions,” said Grafström. “Having the opportunity to make use of the pitches and all the facilities built for the FIFA World Cup 2022 is truly fantastic.” Here are some key figures from Qatar hosting the historic 48-team U-17 World Cup: 1008 players competed in the group stage The tournament brought together an unprecedented number of U-17 teams from across the world to compete for the coveted trophy, providing the opportunity to young players to shine on a global stage. This year, five teams made their debut – Fiji, Republic of Ireland, Zambia, El Salvador and Uganda. 12 hotels utilised to host teams and tournament officials **media[381044]** The tournament’s unique hosting concept saw multiple teams accommodated at a single location, including a centralised dining experience at team hotels, which facilitated cultural exchange by encouraging young players to interact with each other off the pitch. Throughout the tournament, teams were also treated to a number of cultural excursions and social activities, allowing them to experience Qatar’s renowned hospitality. 364 training sessions held across 16 training pitches Teams made use of Qatar’s world-class sporting infrastructure, conducting a total of 364 training sessions across 16 training pitches. This setup resulted in up to 48 training sessions per day across all venues. Two dedicated training sites – Al Ersal and Al Thumama – provided a one-of-a-kind opportunity for young players to train in some of the same grounds that were used by some of the world’s biggest football stars during the historic FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. Teams were provided with the same level of service as senior national teams. This included training equipment and round-the-clock medical support. 8 pitches, one centralised venue All 72 matches of the group stage took place at the Competition Complex in Aspire Zone, allowing fans to be part of a spectacular football festival-like atmosphere, as they moved easily from one pitch to another. For the players, the pitches offered them an ideal playing surface, in line with the highest FIFA standards. During Qatar 2022, the pitches were used as training grounds for some of the teams taking part in the historic tournament. 1 ticket, multiple matches Fans were able to purchase tickets in the form of a day pass, allowing them to attend multiple matches a day. The group stage hosted up to eight matches a day. This unique hosting concept formed the cornerstone of the fan experience, while allowing football scouts to observe emerging talents at a single venue. A total of 130 scouts from leading football clubs around the world attended the tournament to make use of the unique compact nature of the venue. 43 buses utilised for teams and spectators The ultra compact nature of the tournament allowed players and fans to utilise Qatar’s robust public transportation network. The venue was easily accessible by the Doha Metro. A modern bus fleet, including park and ride shuttle services, enabled teams and spectators to commute at ease. This included the provision of wheelchair-accessible transportation options for disabled fans. 52,657 spectators attended group stage matches The tournament was a resounding success amongst young fans, with a large number of families and children flocking to the venue to cheer on their teams, in what is a reflection of a vibrant football culture in Qatar. Diverse communities brought the pitches to life as they came together to celebrate a common passion for the game. 3 accessibility features provided a barrier-free experience Carrying forward Qatar’s commitment to host tournaments that are accessible to all, the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 ensured disabled fans were part of the football excitement. Accessibility features at the venue included: wheelchair-accessible seating across all pitches, sensory room at the fan zone for fans with neurodivergent needs, and audio-descriptive commentary for blind and partially sighted football fans. 880 artists and performers regaled spectators at the fan zone Beyond football, the tournament was a celebration of cultural diversity, where fans were treated to a variety of traditional performances at the fan zone. The tournament served as a platform for young artists from the country, especially students, to showcase their talents to a global audience. 20 small and medium enterprises took part in the fan zone The tournament sought the participation of several home-grown brands at the fan zone, serving as a prime venue for supporting local businesses. As part of a community-focused initiative, the LOC provided a number of local businesses with free space in the fan zone. In addition to food outlets, the fan zone also featured a number of local gyms that provided fans with the opportunity to take part in fitness activities. 833 workforce were involved in tournament operations Qatar once again leveraged a multicultural workforce, comprising local and global talents, to deliver the tournament. Having gained valuable experience from hosting mega-sporting events in the country, the tournament LOC seamlessly carried out operations during the group stage. 465 volunteers supported in the delivery of the tournament Volunteers from 35 different nationalities were involved in 14 functional areas, carrying forward Qatar’s volunteering legacy in delivering mega-sporting events. The volunteers are part of the Qatar Volunteer Programme, which will see a total of 4,000 volunteers recruited for different tournaments that Qatar is set to host this year. This includes FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2025™. 5 on site clinics provided round-the-clock medical support The tournament’s official medical partner Aspetar, the globally recognised orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital, provided a total of five clinics across the venue for players and spectators. Working alongside the country’s robust national healthcare provider, Hamad General Hospital, the two entities provided emergency and medical services across the pitches. 1,153 accredited media professionals covered the group stage A fully equipped media centre at the Aspire Zone served as a crucial hub for media professionals, allowing them to be in the midst of the football action to capture stories from the pitch and highlight emerging talent. The tournament has attracted global attention for its unique hosting concept, and the exceptional talent that the young generation of players have displayed at Qatar’s world- class sporting infrastructure. The Round of 32 will take place on 14-15 November at the Aspire Zone. Tickets can be purchased exclusively from www.roadtoqatar.qa.

For Mohamad Haidar, Lebanon captain and national team player, the FIFA Arab Cup carries significant importance for his nation. Now, with the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 set to take place this December, he stands a chance to lead his country further into the tournament than they've ever been before. "The first Arab Cup we played in Qatar was a wonderful experience," Haidar reflects. "We got to play on some of the world's most modern football facilities. From the moment we arrived to stepping into the stadiums for matches, it was an experience that resonated with fans globally." ‏During the 2021 edition held in Doha, Haidar captained the side through their group stage campaign, which included a 1-0 victory over Sudan. However, the team did not advance past the group stage. For Haidar, the FIFA Arab Cup 2025™ represents another shot at glory: "When the Lebanese national anthem plays, you feel emotions that transport you to your country," said Haidar. "You sense how deeply you want to defend your flag', and that drives you to achieve victories that bring joy to your people and elevate your nation's name on the global stage." Lebanon have been drawn into Group D alongside reigning champions Algeria, Iraq, and the winner of Bahrain v Djibouti.First, Lebanon will face Sudan in a crucial qualifier on 26November at Thani bin Jassim Stadium. "As a player, I give everything on the pitch. I always give my allto make our fans happy and deliver achievements that make our fans proud in front of the whole world," he explains. On the prospect of the best teams in the Arab world, Haidar said: "The Arab Cup brings together the strongest teams in Arab football but we're hungry, we're united, and we're determined to go further than we ever have. Every match is an opportunity to show what Lebanon can do." Looking ahead, Haidar emphasised the significance of the FIFA Arab Cup™ as a platform to showcase rising Arab talent on the global stage: "Every player dreams of moments like this. We've prepared hard, we believe in what we can achieve, and we're ready to fight for Lebanon on the biggest stage. When we take the field, the entire nation will be with us." The FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™ will take place from 1-18 December with 23 teams competing to lift the coveted trophy.

The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ marks historic firsts for five nations making their World Cup debuts: Uganda, El Salvador, Fiji, Ireland and Zambia. For these teams, the first 48-team edition of the tournament provides the ideal stage to announce themselves on the youth football landscape. Uganda's participation, in particular, represents a historic moment for the nation, as they are competing in their first-ever FIFA tournament at any level. The team secured their spot in the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ following their qualification through the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2025 and a playoff victory over Gambia. "It's every teenager's dream to compete in this tournament. Football means everything to me. Whenever I step onto the pitch, I forget every problem I have. I've been playing football since I was a kid, and until now, I still love to play football. I want to go far in my footballing career to help my family and my community," said right back Elvis Torach. For Coach Elcambio Ssenyondo, leading his team in Qatar represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: "Since they were born, these young boys dream to play on the world's biggest stage, which is the U-17 World Cup. Platforms like these allow young players to showcase their talents so they can get the attention of bigger clubs. It also provides them the competitive experience necessary to progress to the highest levels of the game.” Despite falling 2-1 against Canada, the East African nation achieved a historic milestone: Uganda's first-ever goal scored at a FIFA tournament. In their second match of the tournament, the team drew 1-1 against Chile, and is now set to face France on 11 November, at 3:30pm at the Bader Bilal pitch. “Me and my teammates are not afraid of anything. We are physically and mentally prepared for any challenge coming ahead," said Torach. **media[380453]** “We are facing worthy opponents, but we have the grit, the hunger and zeal to take them on. We are here now and we want to enjoy it as far as we can,” added Coach Ssenyondo. As the first FIFA World Cup™ to feature 48 teams, this is the biggest-ever edition of the youth tournament that saw the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Luis Figo, Xavi Hernandez, Eden Hazard, Andres Iniesta, Neymar, Ronaldinho, Son Heung-min and Francesco Totti appear on the world stage for the first time. A total of 104 matches are being contested across eight pitches in the Aspire Zone Competition Complex, culminating in the Final on 27 November at Khalifa International Stadium. This marks the first of five consecutive youth tournaments that Qatar will host through 2029. For FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ tickets and tournament information, visit www.roadtoqatar.qa. For all tournament related updates, follow @u17worldcupqa on all major social media platforms.

More than 2,000 people attended the opening day and the second day of the Aspire Academy Fan Zone, launched as part of the festivities surrounding the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025.**media[380440]**The Aspire Academy Fan Zone, based in Aspire Park, was officially opened by the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 mascot Boma, alongside legendary coach Bora Milutinovic, the man who inspired the tournament's owl symbol.The Serbian coach is not only the only man in history to lead five different national teams at five consecutive FIFA World Cups; he has also played a significant role in Qatar’s football development and continues to serve in an advisory role at Aspire Academy.**media[380434]**That legacy as a talent scout and mentor is reflected in Boma’s character, a wise desert owl always on the lookout for emerging talent.The Aspire Academy Fan Zone will be open daily from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. until the day of the Under-17 World Cup final on 27 November.**media[380436]**The area will offer a fun and interactive experience for all and a chance to win prizes.Visitors will be able to put their footballing skills to the test across six exciting challenges designed to measure their power, accuracy, agility, and jumping ability—and win prizes.Aspire Academy’s Acting Marketing and Communication Director, Muneera Mohammed Hammam, said it was important for the Academy to mark such a landmark event.**media[380438]**“This FIFA Under-17 World Cup is a moment of history for Aspire Academy, as we are hosting 103 of the 104 matches at the finals,” she said.“This is the first time a single venue like ours has hosted an entire World Cup football tournament.”**media[380444]**“We are proud that all the matches are being played on Aspire Academy pitches, except November 27th’s final, which will be held at the neighbouring Khalifa International Stadium.”“Not only are we hosting this newly expanded event, but we are incredibly proud and excited that the entire Qatar squad for the tournament have been trained at Aspire Academy.”**media[380435]**“Eleven of the players are current student-athletes at the Academy, another six graduated in June, and four more are Aspire Academy-trained players.”“We want everyone coming to watch the matches to enjoy their time at Aspire Academy watching the tournament, and we want them to have some fun as they test their own footballing skills.”**media[380437]**“This Fan Zone promises to be fun for fans of all ages and offers them the chance to walk away with a prize if they can successfully complete all the challenges.”**media[380442]**The 2025 FIFA Under-17 World Cup is the first of five that Qatar will host as the event becomes annual rather than biennial.

Colombia, England and Germany secured spots in the Round of 32 at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar Monday at the Aspire Zone.South Korea, Switzerland and Venezuela also impressed with wins. Elsewhere, Indonesia made history by recording their first World Cup triumph of any kind, while Brazil struck late to rescue a draw against Zambia.Egypt 0-3 EnglandReigan Heskey’s double powered England into the Round of 32 as they overcame already-qualified Egypt. The Manchester City man fired a thunderous drive home to give his team a first-half lead, before racing forward to slot in and make it 2-0.Heskey had a golden chance to complete his hat-trick, but saw a penalty saved by Omar Abdelaziz, who then miraculously kept out Seth Ridgeon’s follow-up effort. England would grab a third through, with substitute Harrison Miles’ on target to put the result beyond doubt.Venezuela 4-2 HaitiVenezuela completed an unbeaten group stage by fending off a strong challenge from Haiti. Venezuela could not have asked for a better start, as Diego Claut used his chest to redirect in a cross from the left.It quickly became two when John Mancilla converted a penalty after being fouled in the area. The Caribbean side pulled a goal back shortly before intermission on a curling, right-footed shot from Da-Benz Jacquet. Haiti were brimming with belief and evened things up on Woodson Felix’s composed finish from Emerson Laisse’s slick pass. But the final word belonged to Venezuela, with David Garcia slotting home and then scoring a late penalty to secure the points.Switzerland 3-1 MexicoMladen Mijajlovic bagged a brilliant brace as Switzerland sealed top spot in Group F and left Mexico in third. The Swiss opened the scoring with one of the goals of the tournament, Mijajlovic lashing home left-footed from 18 yards at the end of a flowing move. Already rocking, Mexico received another blow when luckless keeper Santiago Lopez diverted an attempted clearance from Felix Contreras into his own net. Aldo De Nigris’ excellent flashing header early in the second half offered fleeting hope of a comeback but Mijajlovic extinguished it from the restart, sliding home clinically to send the Swiss through in style.South Korea 3-1 Cote d'IvoireAlready-qualified South Korea netted three to down Cote d'Ivoire. The Asian heavyweights opened the scoring when Kim Jisung's mishit cross lofted over Christ Kouassi in the Ivorian goal. The Little Elephants, who were eliminated before this match, hit back through a well-worked Allassane Toure strike. Korea Republic wouldn't be denied, though, with Jeong Hyeonung sweeping home just after the break, before Yi Yonghyeon sealed the win from the penalty spot.Colombia 2-0 North KoreaTwo first-half goals proved the difference as Colombia secured their passage to the last 32 versus already-qualified North Korea. Miguel Solarte gave the South Americans the lead as his left-footed effort deflected beyond the despairing dive of Kim Jong-hun. They tightened their grip on proceedings soon after, as Santiago Londono raced through and was felled by the goalkeeper. The striker dusted himself down and powered home the spot-kick to secure all three points.El Salvador 0-7 GermanyDefending champions Germany swept aside El Salvador to qualify for the Round of 32 as group winners. Clinical finishes from Jeremiah Mensah and Alexander Staff put them in control, before Wisdom Mike’s superb turn-and-finish made it 3-0 by half-time. They got their fourth soon after the break when Andrew Reyes deflected the ball into his own goal, before strikes from Mensah, Lasse Eickel and Christian Prenaj wrapped up the scoring.Honduras 1-2 IndonesiaA wonderful Fadly Alberto strike saw Indonesia claim victory over Honduras. It is the first World Cup victory of any kind for Indonesia. Two penalties brought the game to life, with Evandra Florasta putting Indonesia ahead, only for Luis Suazo to reply with a spot-kick of his own almost instantly. Both sides hunted for a winner and it was the Garuda who found it, with Alberto bringing the ball down outside the area, setting himself and rifling in a stunning half-volley. The result keeps Indonesia's faint hopes of qualifying alive, while Honduras are eliminated.Zambia 1-1 BrazilBrazil needed a late leveller to peg back Zambia and secure top spot in Group H, with the African side forced to settle for second. Jonathan Kalimina scored an audacious Olimpico as his low first-half corner evaded defender Arthur Ryan at the near post and left goalkeeper Joao Pedro stranded. But the South Americans pressed hard for an equaliser and eventually found one as Angelo’s cross evaded the previously excellent Christo Chitambala and allowed Dell to nod home.

Head coach Julen Lopetegui has unveiled Qatar’s 26-player squad for the upcoming training camp and international friendly against Zimbabwe, set for November 17 at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha. The match, kicking off at 7:30pm, is part of Qatar’s preparations for the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 and the FIFA World Cup 2026.The new squad blends seasoned internationals with emerging talents from across the Qatar Stars League. However, several star players have been rested, including attacking duo Akram Afif and Almoez Ali. Defenders Boualem Khoukhi, Karim Boudiaf and Pedro Miguel, along with winger Edmilson Junior and midfielder Abdulaziz Hatem also among those sitting out this fixture.Lopetegui said the November camp is an opportunity to give younger players international exposure and to assess tactical options as Qatar continues building toward next year’s World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.The draw for the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 has placed the home side in Group A, alongside Tunisia, the winner of the Syria–South Sudan play-off, Palestine, and Libya.Qatar squad: Ahmed Suhail, Tariq Salman, Mohammed Waad, Meshaal Barsham (GK), Mustafa Tariq (Al Sadd); Ahmed Al Janahi, Ayoub Mohammed, Mohammed Muntari (Al Gharafa); Tahseen Mohammed, Sultan Al Buraik, Hammam Al Amin, Youssef Ayman (Al Duhail); Ahmed Alaa, Jassim Jaber, Mahmoud Abu Nada (GK) (Al Rayyan); Ahmed Fathi, Al Hashemi, Al Hussein Mohammed Khaled (Al Arabi); Asim Madibo, Lucas Mendes, Nabil Irfan (Al Wakrah); Ahmed Al Rawi (Qatar SC); Khaled Ali (Al Sailiya); Khaled Mohammed (Al Ahli); Shehab Al Laithi (GK) (Al Shahaniya); and Mohammed Manaei (Al Shamal).Vale calls up 26 players for U-23 national team campPortuguese coach Elidio Vale has also announced a 26-player roster for Qatar’s U-23 national team as preparations intensify for the 2026 AFC U-23 Championship in Saudi Arabia.Qatar have been drawn in Group B for the continental finals, alongside two-time champions Japan, the UAE, and Syria. The team qualified after topping their group with a perfect record of nine points from three matches, finishing ahead of India (6 points), Bahrain (3), and Brunei (0).U-23 squadMohamed Ali, Mohamed Hani, Moaz Ibrahim, Abubakr Mohamed (GK), Abdullah Mujeeb, Bassam Adel (Calahorra FC, Spain), Ahmed Al Hashemi (Alcorcón, Spain), Ali Mohammed, Nour El-Din Ibrahim, Ahmed Riad, Jassim Al Sharshani (Al Ahli), Ghanem Al Minhali, Mubarak Shanan, Amir Hassan (GK) (Al Duhail), Muath Al Wadiyya, Anas Abdel Salam, Abdel Aziz Mohammed (Al Shahaniya), Mehdi Al Muajaba, Abdul Rahman Bakri (Al Sadd), Marwan Sharif (Al Arabi), Mustafa Al Sayed (Al Rayyan), Ahmed Hajana (Al Khor), Hassan Al Gharib (Lusail), Saif Al Din Hassan (Al Gharafa), Fares Saeed (Umm Salal), and Ali Ghlais (GK) (Al Shamal).

Belgium, Japan, Senegal, Croatia and South Africa booked their places in the knockout stage of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 at the Aspire Zone Sunday, as Groups A, B, C and D came to a close.There remains hope for the hosts Qatar, Morocco and Tunisia, but they must wait and see if they progress as one of the eight best third-placed teams. Results also ensured Egypt, Venezuela, Switzerland, Korea Republic and Korea DPR will feature in the Round of 32.Despite a host of chances, hosts Qatar couldn’t break through a stubborn Bolivia backline. The result leaves the hosts’ last-32 hopes hanging by a thread, while the South Americans are out.Yazan Mohamed came close in the first half, as he tested Geronimo Govea with a fierce low drive. Captain Zaid Ktit then hit the bar in the second half, before sending a chip over Govea but just past the post. Mohamed came even closer in added time, as he powered an effort off the upright from five yards out.Italy 3-1 South AfricaSamuele Inacio hit a double as Italy beat South Africa to confirm top spot. Bafana Bafana, while beaten, have also qualified for the knockout phase, with their four points enough to seal second spot. Inacio’s slick finish opened the scoring, before Shaun Els bundled in a leveller. Antonio Arena’s header restored Italy’s advantage, before Inacio scored his second of the game and fourth of the tournament to wrap up victory.Morocco 16-0 New CaledoniaMorocco racked up the biggest victory in U-17 World Cup history to keep their hopes alive of progressing to the knockout phase. Spain’s 13-0 win over New Zealand was the previous biggest win, but the Atlas Cubs surpassed that with a relentless performance. Morocco captain Hamza Bouhaddi, said, “We’re delighted with this win and the spirit we showed today. This is our true level. We lost the first two matches, but we tried to put that behind us and we approached today’s game as if it were our first in the tournament.” New Caledonia had two players sent off during the first half, with Typhan Dreuko and Jean Canehmez given red cards.They were made to pay, with Oualid Ibn Salah, Abdelali Eddaoudi, Ziyad Baha, Nahel Haddani, Ismail El Aoud and Abdellah Ouazane all completing braces as Morocco steadfastly hunted the goals which could give them a better chance to progressing to the Round of 32. They finished behind Japan and Portugal in Group B, and will now have to wait to see if they qualify as one of the best third-placed sides.Portugal 1-2 JapanJapan recovered from a disappointing draw with New Caledonia by downing Portugal to top the standings. Takeshi Wada opened the scoring with a neat touch and finish. Mateus Mide thought he’d levelled just moments later, but his long-range effort went through two Portuguese players who had strayed offside. They were then stung by a Japanese sucker-punch, as Taiga Seguchi lasered in from distance.The game flipped with just under 20 minutes to go, as Kaiji Chonan was sent off for a kick out on Stevan Manuel. Portugal quickly halved the arrears from there, with Zeega bundling home from close range. Bino Macaes’ side pressed in the final ten minutes, but Japan held on to secure victory.UAE 0-5 SenegalA Bakary Sonko treble saw Senegal sink United Arab Emirates and advance as group winners. Malick Cisse got the ball rolling with an ice-cool stuttered penalty after Saad Mubarak had wiped out Alwaly Camara. It was the Sonko show from then on. First, he nodded home from beneath the crossbar, before lashing in his second. Mame Sow then crossed for the No8 to tap in for the match ball. Victor Mendy completed the scoring when he fired into the roof of the the net from close range.Croatia 3-1 Costa RicaCroatia also secured a last-32 berth with victory over Costa Rica. The Europeans broke the deadlock when Kresimir Rados got on the end of a devilish Karlo Pajsar cross to net for a second straight match. Raul Kumar doubled the lead with a back-post header from a corner. Costa Rica quickly got back into the match with Thiago Cordero firing in a low drive from outside the box, but Tino Kusanovic nodded in late from another Pajsar cross to seal victory. A delighted Croatia coach Marijan Budimir said, “I want to congratulate my boys. They played a very good game, they controlled the game from the first moment until the end. It’s a pity we didn’t score more goals. The team are very disciplined in defence and sharp in attack. We want to go as far as possible in the tournament.”Fiji 0-7 ArgentinaArgentina continued their 100-per-cent start to Morocco 2025 with a thumping win over Fiji. Uriel Ojeda looked to give the South Americans an early lead, but his penalty was repelled by Melvin Prakash. It was only a temporary reprieve, however, as Ojeda netted, before a fine brace from Mateo Martinez. Ojeda then netted a free-kick in the second half, and side-footed home from inside the box for the match ball. Santiago Silveira and Simon Escobar tacked on two late goals to complete the scoring.Belgium 2-0 TunisiaNoah Fernandez set Belgium on their way to victory over ten-player Tunisia and a spot in the last 32. The mercurial midfielder picked up a slack pass from goalkeeper Slim Bouaskar, skipped inside and netted inside 52 seconds. Tunisia’s task was then made doubly difficult on 17 minutes as Saifedin Haj Abdallah was sent off for a high tackle. Ali Camara made the game safe in the second period with a stunning drive from the edge of the box.

Football Legend Mikaël Silvestre has lauded the exceptional football experience and operational excellence at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025.Silvestre, a decorated former French international defender with more than 400 career appearances for Manchester United, Arsenal, Inter Milan and other elite clubs, was in Qatar to attend the historic first-ever 48-team youth tournament. "The quality of the football is quite intense. There's a lot of aggressiveness, the players are going for it. The group stage brings real pressure, and the quality is exceptional because you're watching the crème de la crème on the pitch"Yet it was the tournament’s seamless organisation that captured Silvestre's particular admiration: "From the venue to the infrastructure, especially for guests like me, the standard of organisation is fantastic. The players have everything in their favour to concentrate on football and shine on the global stage."Drawing on his experience witnessing the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Silvestre reflected on how Qatar's hosting capabilities have proven consistent: "During the World Cup in 2022, we were able to watch multiple games at different venues in a single day. The commute between stadiums, the quality of the pitches, the infrastructure, everything was seamless. When the U-17 World Cup was awarded to Qatar, I was genuinely pleased. For me, it's a win-win for everyone."The tournament, hosted across eight state-of-the-art pitches at the Competition Complex in Aspire Zone, underscores Qatar's ongoing commitment to youth development and its growing legacy as a premier international sports destination.As the first FIFA World Cup to feature 48 teams, this is the biggest-ever edition of the youth tournament that saw the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Luis Figo, Xavi Hernandez, Eden Hazard, Andres Iniesta, Neymar, Ronaldinho, Son Heung-min and Francesco Totti appear on the world stage for the first time.A total of 104 matches will be contested, culminating in the Final on 27 November at Khalifa International Stadium. This marks the first of five consecutive youth tournaments that Qatar will host through 2029.

The drama and excitement continued at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 Saturday as several nations booked their spots in the knockout rounds, while others kept their dreams alive with hard-fought results. At the Aspire Zone, USA, Austria and Ireland confirmed qualification with comeback wins, while Burkina Faso edged Czech Republic in a thriller, and Uganda celebrated a historic first-ever point at a FIFA tournament. Elsewhere, Saudi Arabia stunned New Zealand, France and Canada shared the spoils, and Paraguay outlasted Panama in a tense encounter. Czech Republic 1-2 Burkina Faso Mohamed Zongo was the architect of Burkina Faso’s vital victory, opening the scoring with a stunning long-range strike after his side won the ball thanks to a high press. Czechia levelled almost immediately as Adam Novak released Vit Skrkon to finish calmly, only for Zongo to then provide the corner delivery for Loukman Tapsoba to power home the winning header. USA 2-1 Tajikistan USA overcame a shock early setback to book their place in the round of 32. Tajikistan took an unexpected lead when Muhammad Nazriev exchanged passes with Mehrubon Odilzoda before producing a smart finish, but USA levelled as Nimfasha Berchimas headed home a corner. After heavy pressure, Cavan Sullivan executed a textbook Panenka penalty to complete the comeback. Paraguay 2-1 Panama Pedro Villalba played a central role as Paraguay overcame 10-man Panama. Jossimar Insturain was dismissed after receiving his second yellow for a challenge on midfielder Villalba, with the South Americans then taking the lead as a smart exchange between Carlos Franco and the No20 allowed Thiago Aranda to strike. Villalba then burst into the box to fire a low strike through Adamir Aparicio from close range, before Aldo Sanabria's late own-goal set up a tense finish. Ireland 2-1 Uzbekistan Ireland rallied from an early deficit to defeat Uzbekistan and book their spot in the Round of 32. Uzbekistan broke the deadlock when a parry from goalkeeper Alex Noonan fell right to Abubakir Shukurullaev, who volleyed in. But Ireland levelled as Grady McDonnell rose above a pair of defenders and steered a header home. After chances for both sides to start the second stanza, the Irish wrestled away the lead, with Michael Noonan thumping in a header. **media[379207]** Uganda 1-1 Chile Substitute Derick Ssozi scored Uganda’s first-ever goal at a FIFA tournament to snatch a vital point for the African nation. Chile captain Bruno Torres’ glancing header from Antonio Riquelme’s curling free-kick looked set to be the winner, until a corner deep into added time caused chaos in the box and allowed Ssozi, who had been on the pitch for a matter of seconds, to fire home. France 0-0 Canada France and Canada had to settle for a share of the spoils in their Group K outing, a result that leaves the duo in pole position to progress. France's Pierre Mounguengue came closest to breaking the deadlock in the closing moments as he jinked into the area and beat Jonathan Ransom, only to see his effort come back off the outside of the post. Mali 0-3 Austria Austria delivered an impressive team display to beat Mali and qualify for the U-17 World Cup knockout phase for the first time. They took a first-half lead through Johannes Moser’s penalty. Mali’s task was made all the more difficult when Samba Konare was sent off for a reckless challenge. Hasan Deshishku’s fine finish made it 2-0, before Nicolas Jozepovic’s stoppage-time header added some gloss to the scoreline. Saudi Arabia 3-2 New Zealand Saudi Arabia breathed fresh life into their campaign with a thrilling victory over New Zealand, who have been eliminated. Saudi Arabia took an early lead in fortunate circumstances when a New Zealand defensive clearance bounced off Abdulrahman Sufyani and looped into the net. The OFC side levelled through Matias Nunez’s deflected strike, but Sabri Dahal then raced clear to score for the Saudis. Jack Perniskie’s wonderful backheel made it 2-2, but Saudi Arabia were to have the last word, with Thari Saeed rifling in a stoppage-time winner.

Hosts Qatar kept their qualification hopes alive with a draw 1-1 against South Africa at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar Thursday, while Argentina, Italy and Portugal secured their passage to the knockout stage. At the Mansour Muftah in Aspire Zone, Qatar and South Africa battled out a tense draw which moved Bafana Bafana into a strong position and kept the hosts’ hopes of progression well and truly alive. Qatar got off to a dream start when Yazan Mohamed arrowed a low shot into the bottom corner. Emile Witbooi, outstanding throughout, soon pulled South Africa level with a fine header. Clear chances then proved hard to come by and the sides were forced to settle for a share of the points. This draw gives Qatar, who lost 1-0 to Italy in their opening match, one point and keeps their hopes of advancing to the Round of 32 alive. South Africa, who defeated Bolivia 3-1 in their first match, now have four points. Qatar will face Bolivia in their final group stage match on Sunday. Bolivia 0-4 Italy Italy swept aside Bolivia to make it back-to-back Group A victories and progress to the knockout stages. Simone Lontani’s smart finish put them in front, before Samuele Inacio’s unstoppable strike doubled their advantage. Substitute Destiny Elimoghale burst clear to score the Italians’ third. Inacio and Bolivia’s Jesus Maraude then failed to convert penalties, before Fabio Pandolfi slotted a late fourth. Portugal 6-0 Morocco Portugal stayed perfect and booked their spot in the knockouts with a routine win. Joao Aragao got the ball rolling with a low drive, before Anisio Cabral rifled in a second. Mateus Mide helped himself to a brace, including a penalty, before the interval. Jose Neto quickly added another after the break, and duly headed in for his second on the hour to complete the scoring. Japan 0-0 New Caledonia Nicolas Kutran’s astounding reflexes earned the Pacific Islanders an unforeseen point. With Jelani Ren Mcghee and Minato Yoshida sparkling, Nozomi Hiroyama’s Young Samurai Blue had 18 shots in the first half, but the New Caledonia goalkeeper made excellent saves with both legs. After the break, Kutran exasperated McGhee with his fingertips, while Yoshida’s overhead kick skimmed the crossbar as Japan ran out of time. Group C United Arab Emirates 0-3 Croatia Croatia dominated from start to finish as they cruised past United Arab Emirates. A high line of pressure resulted in the first goal, with Gabrijel Sivalec blocking a pass and the ball deflecting into the path of Tino Kusanovic, who swept home for the opener. Sivalec then doubled the advantage by cutting off an attempted clearance and curling a right-footed shot into net. UAE played with more purpose in the second stanza, but the night belonged to Croatia, and a header from Kresimir Rados in the final minutes served as the exclamation point. Senegal 1-0 Costa Rica Senegal continued their unbeaten start thanks to Alwaly Camara's early strike. In the eighth minute, Etienne Mendy picked up the ball on the left wing and squared it neatly to Camara who powered home his effort. Costa Rica, for their part, struggled to make any impact to leave their qualification hopes in the balance. Argentina 1-0 Tunisia For the second game in a row, Facundo Jainikoski emerged from the bench to inspire Argentina to victory. The South Americans have now secured their passage to the knockout stages. After an even opening period, Diego Placente turned to his No18 to change the game. Just as he did against Belgium, he scored within ten minutes of entering the fray. Bearing down on the Tunisia goal, the Argentinos Juniors forward let fly and found the bottom corner. He almost doubled his money soon after, only to see a rasping drive cannon off the crossbar. Fiji 0-7 Belgium Rene Mitongo scored a fantastic four as Belgium got their campaign up and running with a comprehensive victory over Fiji, who are now eliminated. The Europeans took control of the game from the outset, scoring twice in the opening nine minutes through a Noah Fernandez free-kick and Pablo Capilla Rivera strike. Fernandez then turned provider as he set up Mitongo, who tapped the ball into the empty net. Loic Alvarez made it four thanks to a brilliant individual effort before Mitingo scored his second just before the break. Both sides were then reduced to ten men with Belgium's August de Wannemacker and Teimana Goundar given their marching orders. Mitongo scored two late goals to seal the rout and stake his early claim for the Golden Boot. What they said... “I cannot describe how it feels to score! I am just so glad to be here with my team-mates. I am the youngest one and they make me feel good in the team. That gives me a lot of confidence.” Destiny Elimoghale, Italy goalscorer "This was a different game, against a good team. We started strong, created a little anxiety on their team, because they knew that losing could cost their qualification, and we played with that." Bino Macaes, Portugal coach "I think we gave 100 per cent as a team in this match. Personally, there were moments where I feel I could have done more, but this really reminded us that at the World Cup, if you don’t finish your chances, the game becomes very difficult. If we win the next match against Portugal, we advance from the group stage. So this time, I want to be the one to score and lead Japan to victory." Minato Yoshida, Japan forward "A happy coach, but above all a happy coaching staff, delighted to see our young players capable of surpassing themselves and giving their all throughout a match against a team like Japan. We knew our young players were capable of competing and trying to match the level of these great nations. But the uncertainty was about how long they could do it for. Against Portugal, we managed to hold out for one half and then we collapsed physically. This time, we managed to hold out for the whole match, keep a clean sheet and snatch a point from the draw without conceding a goal. It's a real achievement for us." Leonardo Lopez, New Caledonia coach "We played well tactically in the first half, but we had some difficulties getting the ball out of our half. We corrected that at half-time, and then we were able to get the ball and play our game. We had chances to score, and before Argentina's goal, we had an opportunity to score, but they scored on a transition. We'll take the positives, we'll fix the negatives and we'll look ahead to the next match against Belgium." Amine Naffati, Tunisia coach "We're happy because sometimes it's not easy, and even less so to qualify in the second match. And happy because we've beaten the two toughest opponents. We played better today and we're satisfied." Diego Placente, Argentina coach "Everyone says it was only Fiji. But you still have to play the match and always respect your opponents, who really played with heart. I’m very pleased with what the players showed on the pitch." Bob Browaeys, Belgium coach "We worked really hard for this match. Scoring seven goals isn’t easy. We took the game very seriously, the coach told us to. I feel good and I’m happy [to have scored four goals], but it’s not over. The tournament is still long and we’re going to keep working hard." Rene Mitongo, Belgium forward "The main thing is that we won. In the first match, we had chances but we didn’t take them. Today, we won thanks to the players, the staff and the management. This victory is for the people." Alwaly Camara, Senegal forward "Matches sometimes decided by mistakes. We made a mistake at the start of the match that cost us their goal. They were very decisive. It was the clearest chance they had and they took it. But that's football. We couldn't equalise despite having two or three clear chances." Randall Row, Costa Rica coach

Hosts Qatar kept their qualification hopes alive with a draw 1-1 against South Africa at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar Thursday, while Argentina, Italy and Portugal secured their passage to the knockout stage. At the Mansour Muftah in Aspire Zone, Qatar and South Africa battled out a tense draw which moved Bafana Bafana into a strong position and kept the hosts’ hopes of progression well and truly alive. Qatar got off to a dream start when Yazan Mohamed arrowed a low shot into the bottom corner. Emile Witbooi, outstanding throughout, soon pulled South Africa level with a fine header. Clear chances then proved hard to come by and the sides were forced to settle for a share of the points.This draw gives Qatar, who lost 1-0 to Italy in their opening match, one point and keeps their hopes of advancing to the Round of 32 alive. South Africa, who defeated Bolivia 3-1 in their first match, now have four points. Qatar will face Bolivia in their final group stage match on Sunday.Bolivia 0-4 ItalyItaly swept aside Bolivia to make it back-to-back Group A victories and progress to the knockout stages. Simone Lontani’s smart finish put them in front, before Samuele Inacio’s unstoppable strike doubled their advantage. Substitute Destiny Elimoghale burst clear to score the Italians’ third. Inacio and Bolivia’s Jesus Maraude then failed to convert penalties, before Fabio Pandolfi slotted a late fourth.Portugal 6-0 MoroccoPortugal stayed perfect and booked their spot in the knockouts with a routine win. Joao Aragao got the ball rolling with a low drive, before Anisio Cabral rifled in a second. Mateus Mide helped himself to a brace, including a penalty, before the interval. Jose Neto quickly added another after the break, and duly headed in for his second on the hour to complete the scoring.Japan 0-0 New CaledoniaNicolas Kutran’s astounding reflexes earned the Pacific Islanders an unforeseen point. With Jelani Ren Mcghee and Minato Yoshida sparkling, Nozomi Hiroyama’s Young Samurai Blue had 18 shots in the first half, but the New Caledonia goalkeeper made excellent saves with both legs. After the break, Kutran exasperated McGhee with his fingertips, while Yoshida’s overhead kick skimmed the crossbar as Japan ran out of time. Group CUnited Arab Emirates 0-3 CroatiaCroatia dominated from start to finish as they cruised past United Arab Emirates. A high line of pressure resulted in the first goal, with Gabrijel Sivalec blocking a pass and the ball deflecting into the path of Tino Kusanovic, who swept home for the opener. Sivalec then doubled the advantage by cutting off an attempted clearance and curling a right-footed shot into net.UAE played with more purpose in the second stanza, but the night belonged to Croatia, and a header from Kresimir Rados in the final minutes served as the exclamation point.Senegal 1-0 Costa RicaSenegal continued their unbeaten start thanks to Alwaly Camara's early strike. In the eighth minute, Etienne Mendy picked up the ball on the left wing and squared it neatly to Camara who powered home his effort. Costa Rica, for their part, struggled to make any impact to leave their qualification hopes in the balance.Argentina 1-0 TunisiaFor the second game in a row, Facundo Jainikoski emerged from the bench to inspire Argentina to victory. The South Americans have now secured their passage to the knockout stages.After an even opening period, Diego Placente turned to his No18 to change the game. Just as he did against Belgium, he scored within ten minutes of entering the fray. Bearing down on the Tunisia goal, the Argentinos Juniors forward let fly and found the bottom corner. He almost doubled his money soon after, only to see a rasping drive cannon off the crossbar.Fiji 0-7 BelgiumRene Mitongo scored a fantastic four as Belgium got their campaign up and running with a comprehensive victory over Fiji, who are now eliminated. The Europeans took control of the game from the outset, scoring twice in the opening nine minutes through a Noah Fernandez free-kick and Pablo Capilla Rivera strike. Fernandez then turned provider as he set up Mitongo, who tapped the ball into the empty net. Loic Alvarez made it four thanks to a brilliant individual effort before Mitingo scored his second just before the break. Both sides were then reduced to ten men with Belgium's August de Wannemacker and Teimana Goundar given their marching orders. Mitongo scored two late goals to seal the rout and stake his early claim for the Golden Boot.What they said...“I cannot describe how it feels to score! I am just so glad to be here with my team-mates. I am the youngest one and they make me feel good in the team. That gives me a lot of confidence.”Destiny Elimoghale, Italy goalscorer"This was a different game, against a good team. We started strong, created a little anxiety on their team, because they knew that losing could cost their qualification, and we played with that."Bino Macaes, Portugal coach"I think we gave 100 per cent as a team in this match. Personally, there were moments where I feel I could have done more, but this really reminded us that at the World Cup, if you don’t finish your chances, the game becomes very difficult. If we win the next match against Portugal, we advance from the group stage. So this time, I want to be the one to score and lead Japan to victory."Minato Yoshida, Japan forward"A happy coach, but above all a happy coaching staff, delighted to see our young players capable of surpassing themselves and giving their all throughout a match against a team like Japan. We knew our young players were capable of competing and trying to match the level of these great nations. But the uncertainty was about how long they could do it for. Against Portugal, we managed to hold out for one half and then we collapsed physically. This time, we managed to hold out for the whole match, keep a clean sheet and snatch a point from the draw without conceding a goal. It's a real achievement for us."Leonardo Lopez, New Caledonia coach"We played well tactically in the first half, but we had some difficulties getting the ball out of our half. We corrected that at half-time, and then we were able to get the ball and play our game. We had chances to score, and before Argentina's goal, we had an opportunity to score, but they scored on a transition. We'll take the positives, we'll fix the negatives and we'll look ahead to the next match against Belgium."Amine Naffati, Tunisia coach"We're happy because sometimes it's not easy, and even less so to qualify in the second match. And happy because we've beaten the two toughest opponents. We played better today and we're satisfied."Diego Placente, Argentina coach"Everyone says it was only Fiji. But you still have to play the match and always respect your opponents, who really played with heart. I’m very pleased with what the players showed on the pitch."Bob Browaeys, Belgium coach"We worked really hard for this match. Scoring seven goals isn’t easy. We took the game very seriously, the coach told us to. I feel good and I’m happy [to have scored four goals], but it’s not over. The tournament is still long and we’re going to keep working hard."Rene Mitongo, Belgium forward"The main thing is that we won. In the first match, we had chances but we didn’t take them. Today, we won thanks to the players, the staff and the management. This victory is for the people."Alwaly Camara, Senegal forward"Matches sometimes decided by mistakes. We made a mistake at the start of the match that cost us their goal. They were very decisive. It was the clearest chance they had and they took it. But that's football. We couldn't equalise despite having two or three clear chances."Randall Row, Costa Rica coach

With the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025 taking place in Qatar, world and football industry leaders have congregated at the Aspire Zone to take in the action from what is regarded as one of football’s premier youth tournaments. This included Annalena Baerbock, President of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly, who is in Qatar for the Second World Summit for Social Development taking place from 4-6 November. Speaking to the tournament’s Local Organising Committee, Baerbock stressed on the role of sports in bridging nations and promoting social justice: “The global community has convened in Qatar to highlight the importance of social justice in building stronger societies. The same applies to sports – you only win when you play as one team,” said Baerbock, who has previously served as Germany’s Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs from December 2021 until May 2025. With 48 teams coming together to compete for the coveted FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 trophy, Baerbock believes that this tournament is a testament to the power of sports in uniting players and fans alike and celebrating global diversity. **media[378328]** “The U-17 World Cup showcases the power of playing as a team. On a football pitch, your socio-economic background doesn’t matter. What matters is that you score well and play as a team. It is through sports that the youth learn to embrace diversity and overcome challenges together. The world of politics could also learn from sports that you either win together or lose together,” said Baerbock. “With FIFA talent academies established around the world, and with the U-17 World Cup now turning into an annual event, more children and families will have access to football and sports. I believe sports, especially football, teaches children to honour rules. If we adopted the same mindset in international diplomacy, and played by the rules, we would have more peace in the world. Combining impactful social policies with sports is a win-win situation for all,” added Baerbock. The Second World Summit for Social Development is taking place in Qatar, thirty years after the landmark 1995 World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen. The Summit brings world leaders together to redefine strategies for social progress, strengthen global partnerships, and promote inclusive policies that foster equitable opportunities for all. The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 is taking place from 3-27 November at the state-of-the-art Competition Complex in Aspire Zone. Tickets and match schedule are available at: www.roadtoqatar.qa