2025 Under-17 World Cup Preview: England and Republic of Ireland Set to Shine in Qatar
The 2025 Under-17 World Cup is set to kick off in Qatar with England and the Republic of Ireland among the participating nations. The tournament will feature 48 teams, following the format that will be used in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. England's first match against Venezuela is scheduled for Tuesday at 15:15 GMT.
The competition, which has been held biennially since 1985, did not take place in 2021. However, the 2025 edition marks the beginning of five U17 World Cups to be hosted in Qatar over the next five years. England claimed victory in the 2017 tournament, while Nigeria holds the record for the most World Cup wins with five titles. Germany is the reigning champion after defeating France in the 2023 final in Indonesia.
The tournament will run from Monday, 3 November, to Thursday, 27 November, with 48 teams divided into groups of four for the initial round-robin stage. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-place teams, will advance to the knockout rounds. The remainder of the competition will follow a knockout format, with eight matches scheduled daily during the first nine days of the World Cup.
England's head coach, Neil Ryan, has selected a 21-player squad for the tournament, featuring talented individuals like Chelsea's Reggie Walsh, Aston Villa's Bradley Burrowes, Southampton's Dylan Moody, Manchester City's Reigan Heskey, and Lyon's Alejandro Rodriguez. The squad comprises goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and strikers, all geared up to represent their country on the global stage.
In conclusion, the 2025 Under-17 World Cup promises to be an exciting event with top young talents from around the world showcasing their skills in Qatar. Football fans can look forward to thrilling matches and the emergence of future stars during this prestigious tournament.