By Staff Reporter
Doha: The stage is now set for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 following the official draw conducted in Zurich, Switzerland on Thursday, as the prestigious youth tournament returns to the Qatari capital.
Qatar will host the tournament from November 19 to December 13, continuing the successful expanded 48-team format introduced last year. The qualified nations were drawn into 12 groups of four, setting up several exciting matchups in what will be the second of five consecutive editions of the tournament that Qatar is set to host through 2029.
Speaking virtually during the draw ceremony, Jassim Al Jassim, CEO of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 Local Organising Committee, reaffirmed Qatar’s dedication to delivering another outstanding edition of the event.
“Last year, Qatar made history by hosting the first-ever 48-team FIFA tournament, welcoming 1,008 young players. More than 197,000 fans attended 104 matches across eight pitches of the Aspire Zone complex, creating a unique festival atmosphere. A total of 130 scouts from leading clubs also gathered to witness football’s next generation up close. We are proud of the platform the 2025 edition provided for rising stars such as Hamza Abdelkarim, Mateus Mide, Anísio Cabral and Samuele Inacio,” Al Jassim said.
“This year, we build on everything we learned in 2025 to deliver an even greater experience for players, fans, and the global football community. Congratulations to all qualified teams, we look forward to welcoming you to Doha,” he added.
Hosts Qatar were drawn into Group A alongside Panama, Egypt, and Greece. The group stage promises thrilling contests, with several football powerhouses returning to Doha, including Italy, Brazil, Morocco, Japan, and Saudi Arabia. The 2026 edition will also welcome debutant nations Montenegro, Greece, Romania, Serbia, and Vietnam, who will make their first-ever appearance in the tournament.
With 46 of the 48 participating teams already confirmed, the final two spots will be decided on May 23 following the CAF play-off matches at the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The remaining berths will go to the winners of the play-offs between Ethiopia and Mozambique, and Uganda and Ghana.
All matches will be held at the state-of-the-art Competition Complex in Aspire Zone, which proved highly successful during the 2025 edition. The centralised venue model created a vibrant, festival-like atmosphere, enabling fans and scouts to attend multiple matches in a single day — a format that significantly enhanced the overall experience.
The final will be played on December 13 at the iconic Khalifa International Stadium. The venue, which this year celebrates its 50th anniversary since its inauguration in 1976, has previously hosted major events, including matches during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Qatar’s successful hosting of the expanded 48-team tournament in 2025 set a new benchmark for youth world cups, drawing record fan attendance and providing a world-class platform for emerging talents. Building on that momentum, organisers are preparing enhanced experiences for players, spectators, and stakeholders alike.
The repeated hosting rights through 2029 reflect FIFA’s strong confidence in Qatar’s ability to organise top-tier youth competitions. The tournament continues to serve as a vital stepping stone for the sport’s future stars while showcasing Qatar’s world-class infrastructure and passion for football.
Football enthusiasts in Qatar and across the region are eagerly anticipating the return of the U-17 World Cup, which promises to deliver high-quality matches and memorable moments in the lead-up to the final at the historic Khalifa Stadium.
