Battle lines drawn for FIFA U-17 World Cup’s Round of 32 games in Doha

Nov 12, 2025

Following a barnstorming group stage of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 at the Aspire Zone in Doha, the stage is now set for yet more thrilling drama as the first knockout round promises a feast of football.

The Round of 32 fixtures are confirmed, setting up mouthwatering clashes between some of the tournament’s standout performers and rising stars.

The knockout round begins on Friday, November 14, with a match between Zambia and Mali. Portugal will then face Belgium, Switzerland will meet Egypt, and France will lock horns with Colombia. Later in the day, Argentina will play Mexico, Ireland will battle Canada, Brazil will take on Paraguay and USA will meet Morocco.

On Saturday, Senegal will face Uganda and South Korea will meet England before Italy plays the Czech Republic. Japan will go head-to-head with South Africa while Germany will take on Burkina Faso. Venezuela will meet North Korea while Croatia will clash with Uzbekistan. Austria will round off the Round of 32 clashes with a game against Tunisia.

Drama, emotion, and history had intertwined on the final day of group-stage action on Tuesday, as the last tickets to the knockout rounds were claimed amid heartbreak and exhilaration.

Across Groups I to L, young players delivered moments of brilliance that will live long in memory, from Uganda’s landmark victory to Mathis Albert’s match-winning strike for the USA.

Burkina Faso opened the day by showing poise and determination in a 2-0 win over Tajikistan. After Loukman Tapsoba saw his first-half penalty saved by Abubakr Rahmonqulov, Cherif Barro took responsibility for a second spot-kick after the break and buried it with confidence. Eric Ouattara added a stoppage-time goal to ensure the West Africans marched into the next round as group runners-up.

In one of the day’s tightest battles, USA edged the Czech Republic 1-0 to claim top spot in their group.

The game changed when Mathis Albert came on at half-time and immediately injected pace and purpose into the American attack. After setting up Jude Terry for a chance that struck the crossbar, Albert finally broke the deadlock himself in the 78th, cutting in from the left and finishing coolly into the far corner.

USA ended with ten men after Mateo Tsakiris was sent off late but held firm, while the Czech Republic also advanced as one of the best third-placed teams.

In Group J, Uzbekistan put on an extraordinary second-half display to crush Panama 6-1 and secure their passage. After goalkeeper Ibrokhim Shokirov saved a first-half penalty from Estevis Lopez, his teammates ran riot after the break.

Abubakir Shukurullaev headed home to open the scoring, followed by goals from Sadriddin Khasanov and Sayfiddin Sodikov. Late efforts from Jamshidbek Rustamov and Asilbek Aliev, plus an injury-time penalty from Abdusamad Saidov, completed the rout.

Panama’s Joseph Pacheco netted a late consolation, but it was Shokirov’s calm leadership that defined the match. “The pressure was massive in this game,” he said. “When we went three or four goals up, then I could calm down a little!”

Ireland and Paraguay shared a goalless draw that suited both sides, ensuring their safe passage. Vincent Leonard was outstanding for Ireland, while Matias Fernandez impressed in the Paraguayan goal.

In Group K, Uganda made history with their first-ever FIFA U-17 World Cup victory, defeating France 1-0 in a result that sent both teams through and left all four sides in the group level on points - a first in the tournament’s history. James Bogere provided the moment of magic, curling home a superb shot in the 18th minute that proved decisive.

Elsewhere in the group, Chile staged a spirited comeback to beat Canada 2-1, but were eliminated on goal difference. Shola Jimoh gave Canada the lead before Zidane Yanez and Matias Orellana turned the match around. Yanez’s late red card and Van Parker’s missed penalty added further drama to a pulsating encounter. Despite the defeat, Canada advanced alongside France and Uganda.

Group L concluded with contrasting fortunes. Austria continued their flawless run, dispatching New Zealand 4-1 thanks to a dominant late surge. Nicolas Jozepovic’s opener was cancelled out by William Britton, but Austria responded with goals from Dominik Dobis and a quickfire double by substitute Hasan Deshishku to seal a perfect record.

Mali joined them in the knockout rounds after beating Saudi Arabia 2-0. Raymond Bomba volleyed in Traore Mohamed’s cross before Ibrahim Diakite rounded Abdulrahman Alotaibi to score the second. The result ended Saudi Arabia’s campaign in heartbreaking fashion, as Mexico advanced ahead of them on the fair-play tiebreaker.