Doha: The Republic of Ireland is poised to make its inaugural appearance at the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025, which will take place in Qatar from November 3 to 27 of this year.
This tournament will mark the first FIFA World Cup to include 48 teams, and it is one of five consecutive editions that Qatar will host annually until 2029.
Colin O’Brien, the Head Coach of Ireland U-17, expressed that the young Irish players will be the focus of attention back home during the tournament as the team gears up for a significant debut: “This is a proud moment for us. A lot of young fans are going to be watching the matches and following the team closely. We hope this tournament will inspire younger players and encourage them to be a part of our football legacy.”
The FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025 will be held at the state-of-the-art Aspire Zone complex. This expansive facility has been instrumental in developing some of the world’s top athletes and several of Qatar’s football stars. This will be the second occasion that O’Brien leads a group of young players in this iconic venue. Nearly ten years ago, the Irish manager guided an under-15 team in a series of matches held at the Aspire Zone.
“As a football coach, it’s always a privilege to play in Qatar. I am impressed with the high standards that the facilities continue to maintain. The quality of pitches and training grounds are top-notch. These are critical aspects for coaches and players to boost performance.”
This time around, Coach O’Brien will be guiding the under-17 stars in their first major FIFA tournament. The young Boys in Green will face Paraguay, Uzbekistan and Panama at the group stage. The squad includes Benfica player Jaden Umeh, who was instrumental in the Ireland U-17s qualifying for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2025.
“This is a huge opportunity for our young players. We are excited to play against confederations from across the world and to showcase home-grown talent at such a global scale.”
As the Irish U-17 team prepare to make their first visit to Qatar, Coach O’Brien looks forward to celebrating Qatar’s vibrant culture and football spirit that captivated players and millions of fans during the FIFA World Cup 2022.
“This is the first time for the squad to play in Qatar. We are excited for them to experience the local culture. We will be engaging with teams and fans from across the world and hope to foster a memorable cultural exchange,” he said.
The FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025™ will take place from 3-27 November 2025. A total of 104 matches will be played across 25 days at the Aspire Zone, where fans will be treated to a festival-like atmosphere and can enjoy a robust fan zone.
The first match will see hosts Qatar take on European giants Italy on 3 November. The final match will be held at Khalifa International Stadium, which served as one of the venues for the historic FIFA World Cup 2022.
