The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 is set to bring together some of the world's most promising young footballers for an exciting battle for international glory. Scheduled to take place from November 19 to December 13, 2026, the tournament will feature 48 national teams competing across multiple groups before the knockout stages determine the next world champions.
With established youth football powerhouses such as Brazil, Argentina, Spain, France and Germany's European rivals among the participants, the competition promises to showcase emerging talent and provide a glimpse into the future of international football. Here's everything you need to know about the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026, including its dates, host venues, qualified teams, tournament format and groups.
When and Where Is the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026?
The FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026 will be held in Qatar from November 19 to December 13, 2026. Qatar will host the tournament for the second consecutive year as part of FIFA's decision to stage the men's U-17 World Cup annually from 2025 onwards.
Most matches will take place at the Aspire Zone sports complex in Al Rayyan, near Doha. The final is scheduled to be played at the iconic Khalifa International Stadium on December 13.
The tournament will feature 104 matches, giving supporters plenty of opportunities to watch the next generation of international football stars in action.
How Many Teams Will Compete in the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026?
A total of 48 national teams will participate in the competition, representing all six FIFA confederations. The expanded format was introduced in 2025 to provide more countries with opportunities to compete at the highest level of youth international football.
The participating nations include traditional youth football powerhouses and emerging teams from across the globe.
The qualified teams are:
AFC: Qatar, Australia, China PR, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
CAF: Algeria, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Senegal, Tanzania and Uganda.
Concacaf: Costa Rica, Cuba, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama and the United States.
CONMEBOL: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Uruguay and Venezuela.
OFC: Fiji, New Caledonia and New Zealand.
UEFA: Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Serbia and Spain.
Portugal, the defending champions after winning the 2025 edition, did not qualify for the 2026 tournament and therefore cannot defend their title.
FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026 Groups
The 48 teams have been divided into 12 groups of four. The draw has produced several intriguing matchups, including Spain versus Morocco and Japan versus Colombia.
Here is the complete group-stage draw:
Group A: Qatar, Panama, Egypt, Greece
Group B: South Korea, Uganda, New Caledonia, Ecuador
Group C: Argentina, Australia, Mozambique, Denmark
Group D: France, Haiti, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group E: Italy, Jamaica, Côte d'Ivoire, Uzbekistan
Group F: Senegal, Croatia, Cuba, Tajikistan
Group G: Mali, New Zealand, Belgium, Vietnam
Group H: Spain, China PR, Fiji, Morocco
Group I: Brazil, Republic of Ireland, Tanzania, Costa Rica
Group J: United States, Montenegro, Chile, Algeria
Group K: Mexico, Romania, Cameroon, Venezuela
Group L: Japan, Colombia, Serbia, Honduras
The group stage will test each team's consistency, with the leading nations aiming to secure an early route into the knockout rounds.
What Is the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026 Format?
The competition follows an expanded format designed to accommodate 48 teams while maintaining a competitive knockout stage.
The teams will first compete in 12 groups of four, with each nation playing three group-stage matches. The top two teams from every group, alongside the eight best third-placed teams, will progress to the Round of 32.
From that point onwards, the tournament will follow a single-elimination knockout format. Teams must win their matches to advance through the Round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals before reaching the final.
This structure gives more nations a chance to progress while ensuring that the race for the trophy becomes increasingly intense as the tournament advances.
Which Teams Are Favourites to Win the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026?
Brazil and Argentina will be among the teams attracting attention because of their established youth development systems and history of producing elite footballers. Spain, France and Italy will also look to make deep runs, while Japan, Colombia and Morocco could provide serious challenges.
However, youth tournaments are notoriously unpredictable. Players develop at different rates, and a strong team performance can be just as important as individual talent. The expanded format also creates more opportunities for emerging nations to make their mark on the global stage.
Why Is the FIFA U-17 World Cup Important?
The FIFA U-17 World Cup offers young players an opportunity to experience international competition against some of the best prospects in their age group. Strong performances can increase their visibility among professional clubs, coaches and national-team selectors.
For supporters, the tournament is an opportunity to discover future stars before they establish themselves in senior football. For participating countries, it provides valuable experience and a platform to measure the progress of their youth development programmes.
FAQs About the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026
1. When does the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026 start?
The tournament begins on November 19, 2026, and concludes on December 13, 2026.
2. Where will the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026 be held?
Qatar will host the tournament, with matches taking place at the Aspire Zone complex in Al Rayyan and the final at Khalifa International Stadium.
3. How many teams will participate?
Forty-eight national teams will compete in the 2026 edition.
4. How many teams qualify for the knockout stage?
Thirty-two teams advance: the top two from each of the 12 groups and the eight best third-placed teams.
5. Who won the previous FIFA U-17 World Cup?
Portugal won the 2025 edition, claiming their first title in the competition. However, they failed to qualify for the 2026 tournament.
6. Where can fans find FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026 updates?
Fans can follow the official FIFA website for match schedules, results, team news, ticket information and tournament updates.
Conclusion
The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 promises a month of exciting youth international football, featuring 48 teams, 104 matches and a competitive knockout stage. With talented nations from six confederations chasing the trophy, the tournament will offer a valuable platform for emerging players to showcase their abilities. As Qatar prepares to welcome the world's next generation of football stars, fans can look forward to discovering new talents and following the race to become world champions.