The 2025 U-17 Men's World Cup will mark a turning point in the history of youth football. For the first time, the tournament will feature 48 teams, double the number that participated in the previous edition, held in Indonesia in 2013. The event will take place in Qatar from November 3 to 27, with Germany as the reigning champion. Get 20% off UEFA Champions League broadcasts in Spanish on DAZN. The new format, promoted by FIFA, promises to be an unprecedented event, with unprecedented global representation: 9 Asian teams (AFC), 10 African teams (CAF), 8 from CONCACAF, 7 South American teams (CONMEBOL), 3 Oceanian teams (OFC), and 11 European teams (UEFA). Qatar will not only host this edition, but also the next four until 2029, with an annual Under-17 World Cup instead of the traditional two-year schedule. The Gulf nation thus reaffirms its commitment to sport after hosting the 2022 World Cup, the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Lusail, tennis tournaments in Doha, and top-level padel competitions. Germany will defend its title in an edition with a record number of participants. The German national team arrives as the overwhelming favorite and reigning champion, having won the title in 2023 by defeating France on penalties (4-3) after a 2-2 draw in regulation time. In this edition, Germany is in Group G along with Colombia, El Salvador, and North Korea, with their debut scheduled for November 4. France shares Group K with Chile, Canada, and Uganda, while Mexico, two-time champion of the tournament, will compete in Group F alongside South Korea, Ivory Coast, and Switzerland. Since its creation in 1985, only 10 countries have won the tournament. Nigeria leads the list with five titles, followed by Brazil (4), Ghana (2), Mexico (2), and other powerhouses such as Germany, France, Saudi Arabia, England, Switzerland, and the former Soviet Union. Africa, with seven championships, remains the most successful continent in this category. The opening day will have an African flavor with the match between South Africa and Bolivia, corresponding to Group A. In total, 104 matches will be played at the stadiums of the modern Aspire Zone complex in Al Rayyan, located just over 6 miles from downtown Doha. The grand final will be played at the Khalifa International Stadium, with a capacity of almost 46,000 spectators.The format consists of 12 groups of four teams, with the top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams advancing to the round of 32. In case of a tie, there will be no extra time, and the winner will be decided directly by a penalty shootout. Among the debutant teams are El Salvador, Fiji, Ireland, Zambia, and Uganda, while Spain, Iran, Poland, and Ecuador were eliminated after having participated in 2023. The tournament will once again serve as a showcase for future stars, just as it did for figures such as Ronaldinho, Xavi, Iniesta, Luis Figo, Neymar, Toni Kroos, and Phil Foden. In this edition, the football world will be looking for the successor to Paris Brunner, the German striker for Monaco and the most recent winner of the Under-17 Ballon d'Or.

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