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Italy edge Qatar as FIFA U-17 World Cup kicks off in Doha

The FIFA Under-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 kicked off in Doha with eight matches at the Aspire Zone on Monday.

The first day’s competitions were headlined by a tightly fought Group A clash between hosts Qatar and Italy. Samuele Inacio scored the game’s only goal in the 18th minute, giving Italy a 1-0 win as the local crowd watched their side press until the final whistle without reward.

Group A’s other match saw South Africa defeat Bolivia 3-1, despite Going Dlamini’s early red card. Emile Witbooi, Neo Bohloko, and Shaun Els found the net for the resilient South Africans, while Jesus Maraude converted a penalty for Bolivia.

In Group B, Japan marked its return to the U-17 World Cup with a solid 2-0 victory over Morocco. Taiga Siguchi broke the deadlock in the 66th, and Daigo Hirashima sealed the result in stoppage time.

Meanwhile, Portugal delivered the day’s biggest statement, routing New Caledonia 6-1 after going behind to Wamowe’s 14th-minute goal. Anisio Cabral scored twice (27’, 49’), while Stevan Manuel, Mide, Furtado, and Neto also found the target.

Costa Rica and the UAE played out a 1-1 draw in Group C. Mayed Adel scored for UAE in the 34th before Nick Bennette equalized seven minutes later. In the day’s only goalless encounter, Senegal and Croatia’s defences held firm, with Senegal’s Vincent Gomis named Player of the Match.

Group D featured the tournament’s most dramatic contest, as Argentina edged Belgium 3-2. Ramiro Tulian opened the scoring for Argentina, but Belgium’s Arthur De Kimpe and Stan Naert both struck to put the Europeans ahead. Super-subs Facundo Jainikoski and Felipe Esquivel completed Argentina’s late turnaround.

Tunisia emphatically dispatched Fiji 6-0, with Wassim Slama and Fedi Tayechi each scoring twice, while Saidi and Haj Abdallah also got on the scoresheet.

Standout performances included South Africa’s resilience with ten men, Portugal’s attacking display led by Cabral, and Tunisia’s ruthless efficiency. With 28 goals in one day, the World Cup is off to a flying start in Doha.