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Tag: FIFA U-17 WORLD CUP

  • New  emblem unveiled for FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025

    New  emblem unveiled for FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025

    A modern, dynamic brand for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ has been revealed ahead of the first 48-team edition of the tournament which will take place in November 2025.

    The fresh emblem cleverly incorporates the coveted trophy as negative space within the “U” of “U-17”, creating a bold silhouette that also represents a spotlight, which is the core symbol of the tournament’s new identity.

    The result is an engaging brand that respects the FIFA U-17 World Cup’s heritage, while looking ahead to the future of the game, as FIFA and the host nation join forces to illuminate emerging players, who are firmly at the heart of the story.

    The warm, overlapping layers of colour radiate outwards, representing football’s worldwide reach, inclusivity and dynamism, highlighting the discovery and growth of young talent. Serving as a beacon, it captures the energy and ambition of aspiring players, celebrating their journey from local pitches to the world stage and inspiring fans with the promise of future stars.

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     “We are excited for the brand launch of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which will form an important fixture in Qatar’s football calendar for the next five years,” said Qatar’s Minister of Sports and Youth and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani.

     “Since the start of this decade, Qatar has delivered world-class football events on the regional, continental and global levels. Turning our attention to youth tournaments was the natural next step, stemming from our long-term investment in youth development in sport.”

     “We look forward to welcoming U-17 squads from around the world to the first 48-team World Cup in history, and hope that their experience of our state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities offers an inspirational glimpse of what they could expect in the future as they progress further in their footballing careers.”

    “The FIFA U-17 World Cup has proven to be an important stepping stone for the next generation of the world’s best young footballers, who display exceptional skill and dedication,” said FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström.

     “The tournament’s new Official Emblem emphasises the team spirit, youthful audacity, remarkable strength, and optimism which will be on full display in November 2025. The well-proven ability of Qatar as a host of FIFA events merged with the country’s exceptional infrastructure and warm hospitality will provide the perfect stage for this historic competition.”

    All 48 teams have already qualified for the biggest-ever edition of the showpiece youth tournament that saw the likes of Luis Figo, Francesco Totti, Ronaldinho, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Neymar and Phil Foden rise to stardom.

    A brand-new tournament format will play out as Germany look to defend the title that they won in thrilling fashion at the tournament in Indonesia in 2023, when they beat France on penalties in a dramatic final.

  • South American teenage footballers taste  Qatar’s hospitality ahead of FIFA U-17 World Cup

    South American teenage footballers taste  Qatar’s hospitality ahead of FIFA U-17 World Cup

    Players from Argentinian side River Plate and Brazilian side Palmeiras made their way to  Qatar as part of a CONMEBOL initiative that saw them take on local sides while experiencing the country’s signature hospitality.

    Many of these players will feature for their  national teams at upcoming global tournaments. The visit highlighted Qatar’s world class  infrastructure and shed light on the importance of sport to youth development.

    Thiago Marin, a forward with the U-14 side for River Plate, spoke about the significance of  making the journey to Qatar: “I come from a very humble neighbourhood in Buenos Aires, and I’m so happy for the opportunity to visit Qatar. Football is my passion and it’s  something that makes me truly happy.”

    A total of 48 teams have qualified to the tournament, making it the largest FIFA World  Cup™ to date.

    Qatar’s hosting of the competition confirms its place as a global sports  capital, and builds on the legacy created from hosting major tournaments, such as the  FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ and the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

    “I think one of the most wonderful things is seeing the faces of all these players who are visiting Qatar for the first time and discovering the wonders that we can see in this country,” said Fabimar Benavides, Head of Sustainability and Women’s Football at CONMEBOL.

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    Benavides added: “The young players feel truly welcomed in this country; with all the  infrastructure it has. We visited wonderful stadiums that have really impressed them. This  gives them the opportunity to open up their imagination and be inspired by this country; to  have aspirations and dreams of one day being part of a World Cup in Qatar.”

    Both Argentina and Brazil have qualified to the tournament. They join title holders

    Germany, as well as tournament debutants El Salvador, Fiji, Republic of Ireland, Uganda and Zambia.

    Hosts Qatar will look to improve on their best showing at the tournament  when they finished in fourth place in 1991.

    “Based on the stadiums we visited, the U-17 World Cup will be a very beautiful experience. The facilities are first-class, and I think that for an under 17 player who is just starting out,  playing where Argentina won the World Cup will be very motivating,” said Juan Borelli, a  youth coach with River Plate.

    For many young players that will be making their way to Qatar to participate in the tournament, football can have a fundamental impact on their livelihood and the way they perceive the world around them.

    Palmeiras youth coach Wellington Ramos said: “Football is a very important tool in society.  It breaks down barriers between countries and cultures. Whether it is in Brazil, or here in  Qatar, football can change the lives of young people. It can help with the development of  children and teenagers. As such, we’re happy to see the way Qatar is embracing football  in such a wonderful way.”

    In addition to the FIFA U-17 World Cup™, Qatar is also set to host the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™ before the end of the year.

    “It is a dream to play in Qatar and win a World Cup with Brazil; the conditions here are fantastic,” said Gustavo Bertozzi, a rising youth star with Brazilian side Palmeiras.

    Qatar is set to host the next five consecutive editions of the FIFA U-17 World Cup™, with this year’s taking place between  November 3rd   and  27 November.

  • Amuneke unveils Eaglets’ pre-World Cup squad

    Amuneke unveils Eaglets’ pre-World Cup squad

    Golden Eaglets’ coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, has named a provisional squad of 25 players for a pre-U-17 World Cup training camp in Argentina.

    The squad led by skipper Kelechi Nwakali departed Abuja for Buenos Aires on Thursday, africanFootball.com reports.

    The reigning world champions will meet the Argentina U-17 team as well as the U-20 team of either Boca Juniors or Racing Club while in the South American nation.

    Four players will be dropped before the team head off to Chile.

    Nigeria plays in Group A along with tournament hosts Chile, USA and Croatia.

    The squad:

    Goalkeepers: Udoh Akpan, Benjamin Amos, Chiaha Chisom, Yunusa Abdullahi,

    Defenders: John Lazarus, Halilu Lukman, Tochukwu Okoli, Ibe Tobechukwu, Ejike Ikwu, Samuel Opeh, Michael Edidiong Ndochukwu Anumudu

    Midfielders: Kelechi Nwakali, Kingsley Michael, Taiwo Alimi, Joel Osikel, Agor Chukwudi, Chinedu Madueke

    Strikers: Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Ebere Osinachi, Orji Okonkwo, Gavi Thompson, Funsho Bamgboye, David Enogela

  • Amuneke fancies Eaglets’ World Cup chances

    Amuneke fancies Eaglets’ World Cup chances

    Golden Eaglets’ coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, believes his team can successfully defend its world title at this year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup finals in Chile.

    The defending champions had been drawn alongside hosts, Chile, Croatia and the United States in Group A of the competition which gets underway on October 17, supersport.com reports.

    Amuneke is bullish about his side’s chances in Chile but believes hard work cannot be substituted if success is to be attained in the South American nation.

    “We are defending champions and it is a privilege. All 24 teams going to Chile for the tournament are going with the aim of winning the title.

    “However, if we must win the title, we must work very hard. There are now two ways about that.

    “I am very concerned with what my players do on the pitch when they have the ball and when they do not have possession.

    “We want to win the title but we must work very hard,” he told supersport.com.

    Nigeria will play its first match against the U.S at Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, Santiago on October 17.

    Three days later, the Golden Eaglets face the onerous task of silencing vociferous home support at Viña del Mar’s Estadio Sausalito, when the team confronts hosts Chile in the second group match.

    The Amuneke wards then round off their preliminary campaign against Croatia at Estadio Municipal Francisco Sánchez Rumoroso, Coquimbo on October 23.

    Nigeria is the most successful country in the history of the FIFA U-17 World Cup with a record four triumphs.

     

  • FIFA U-17 World Cup: Idoko hails Flamingoes’ exploit

    FIFA U-17 World Cup: Idoko hails Flamingoes’ exploit

    Mike Idoko, Director, Technical and Management, Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA), has hailed the qualification of Flamingoes for the quarter final of FIFA U-17 Women World Cup in Costa Rica.

    Idoko told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Akure that the team showed class by coming from behind to win the match and qualify.

    NAN reports that Nigeria came from a goal down to beat Colombia 2-1 in their second game of the tournament.

    The match was played at the Estadio Alejandro Morera in Alajuela on Wednesday.

    Goals from Joy Bokiri and Uchenna Kanu gave the Flamingoes victory after the Colombians had taken the lead in the 3rd minute through Angie Rodriguez.

    Idoko said that the team could win the tournament with the character shown so far.

    “The team can go all the way to win the tournament if they can improve more on their performance.

    “I want the technical crew to work more on the defence of the team.

    “This will prevent the team from conceding any goal in every game because they are going to the knock out stage now,” Idoko said.

    He charged the team to come back with the trophy and emulate the Golden Eaglets.

    Nigeria had defeated China 2-1 in the opening game of the Group D.

  • 2013: FIFA U-17 WORLD CUP Golden Eaglets to embark on foreign tour Sept. 18

    2013: FIFA U-17 WORLD CUP Golden Eaglets to embark on foreign tour Sept. 18

    •Team considers Germany, Qatar
    •Manu not satisfied with defenders

    Golden Eaglets will leave the country on or before September 18 to round off their preparation for the 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup slated for the United Arabs Emirates next month, a top official has revealed to SportingLife.

    The Nigeria’s U-17 national team came second behind Cote d’Iviore at the cadet championship held in Morocco and have started camping for the world tourney since last month.

    Speaking with SportingLife shortly after his wards spanked First Best Farmers FC, Enugu 8-3 at the practice pitch of the UJ Esuene Stadium,Calabar on Thursday, Golden Eaglets’ head coach, Manu Garba disclosed that he has been told they would be leaving Nigeria before September 18th to perfect strategy for the World Cup the country had won thrice.

    The coach added further that he is still looking at reinforcing the defence line as there are still works to be done to make it solid with the rest of the other departments of the team.

    Quoting the Eaglets’ helmsman: “The match ended 8-3. But despite the fact that the game ended that way, we still have corrections to do especially in the defensive position. Ostensibly, the team is very good. This is not the only game that we have scored many goals like this. We have won a 10-0 here too. We have many new players in the team and we need all the new ones to blend with those that prosecuted the African Champions qualifier and the competition itself.

    “We just have a month or so before the World Cup proper. I believe that when we travel out for the training tour we will have sufficient time to concentrate fully and be more ready for the World Cup proper.

    “God’s willing we have been told that the team will travel on or before 18th September. We are either going to be staying in Germany or Qatar.”