Fascinating match-ups set in U-17 World Cup draw
View the full draw for 48-team global showpiece, which will be held in Qatar from 19 November to 13 December
22/05/2026 09:35:43The draw for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026™ was held at the Home of FIFA in Zurich on Thursday, 21 May, and threw up a host of intriguing contests.
The inaugural 48-team edition of the tournament was staged last year and proved a roaring success, with packed-out crowds enjoying thrilling matches between the finest youth international teams on the planet. More excitement is expected when the festival-style event returns to Qatar in November. Eye-catching group-stage matches include a heavyweight showdown between Spain and Morocco, AFC giants Japan facing South American U-17 champions Colombia, and France taking on Uruguay. Hosts Qatar, meanwhile, will face Egypt in a fascinating tussle sure to be played in a vibrant atmosphere.
Forty-six of the qualified nations are now known, with the the final two spots to be decided on Saturday when the CAF play-offs take place. The winners of the Ethiopia v Mozambique and Uganda v Ghana ties will clinch places at the global showpiece and complete the 48-team line-up.
Assessing the draw results, VFF Vice President Tran Anh Tu said that Vietnam’s group is highly competitive, featuring representatives from Africa, Europe and Oceania — regions known for their physical strength, high technical standards and extensive international experience.
“However, qualifying for the FIFA U17 World Cup itself is already a historic and proud milestone for Vietnamese football. More importantly, this will be a valuable opportunity for the young players to continue developing, gain experience and demonstrate their character on the world’s biggest stage for the U17 age group,” Vice President Tran Anh Tu emphasized.
According to the VFF Vice President, participation in the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 is significant not only for the current generation of players, but also serves as motivation for future U17 teams of Vietnamese football to strive towards the global stage, thereby creating a solid foundation for the national team’s next generation in the future.
Vice President Tran Anh Tu also affirmed that the VFF considers the preparation process for Vietnam’s U17 team in the coming period to be of special importance. Based on the professional plan already established, the VFF will continue to work closely with the coaching staff to provide the best possible conditions for the team’s training camps, international friendly matches and overall improvement in technical ability, physical fitness and competitive mentality ahead of the tournament.
“The VFF believes that with the best possible preparation, Vietnam’s U17 team will showcase a positive image of Vietnamese youth football on the world U17 stage,” Vice President Tran Anh Tu stated.