The official draw for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup took place in Zurich on Thursday, setting the stage for 48 nations to compete in Qatar from 19 November to 13 December 2026. The tournament will feature 104 matches across 12 groups of four teams, continuing the expanded format that debuted successfully last year in the Middle East.
Qatar returns as hosts after staging the inaugural 48-team edition in 2025, which welcomed over 197,000 spectators across the Aspire Zone complex. That tournament attracted 130 scouts from elite clubs worldwide, showcasing emerging talents including Hamza Abdelkarim, Mateus Mide, Anísio Cabral and Samuele Inacio. The venue proved instrumental in developing youth football pathways, with the infrastructure now primed for another showcase of global talent.
Group Stage Breakdown and Key Contenders
Heavyweights including Argentina, Brazil, Spain, Italy and Japan have qualified and will compete across the 12 groups. Host nation Qatar occupies Group A alongside Panama, Egypt and Greece. The competition features established football nations alongside emerging challengers:
- Group B: Korea Republic, New Caledonia, Ecuador and CAF 1
- Group C: Argentina, Australia, Denmark and CAF 2
- 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
Notable Absences and Tournament Structure
One surprise from the draw is the absence of defending champions Portugal, who won the 2025 U-17 World Cup in Qatar but failed to qualify this time. The tournament structure remains consistent with the 2025 edition, giving nations two years to develop their young squads between competitions.
Jassim Al Jassim, CEO of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 Local Organising Committee, emphasised Qatar's commitment to expanding opportunities for emerging players. The host nation leverages its modern stadium infrastructure and previous experience managing youth tournaments to create an environment where scouts can identify and monitor football's next generation. With qualification complete and groups finalised, all 48 teams now prepare for what promises to be a competitive tournament showcasing the stars of 2026.
