In what FIFA says is a decision aimed at bolstering youth football worldwide, the football governing body has unveiled plans to expand both the FIFA U-17 World Cup™ and the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™.
This was announced on Thursday, March 14, during the FIFA Council meeting preceding the 74th FIFA Congress.
The U-17 tournaments will now see increased participation and frequency, signaling a new era for junior international football.
Under these sweeping changes, the FIFA U-17 World Cup™ will expand to 48 teams and transition to an annual event, departing from its traditional biennial schedule.
The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™ will also witness growth, accommodating 24 teams annually starting from 2025.
Moreover, FIFA have selected hosts for these prestigious tournaments, saying they prioritized existing football infrastructure and sustainability efforts when making the choices.
Qatar has been designated as the venue for the next five editions of the FIFA U-17 World Cup™, commencing in 2025.
They will be hoping to build upon their successful staging of the FIFA World Cup™ in 2022.
Morocco will host the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™ until 2029.
