Hosts Qatar have been drawn in Group A of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026, alongside Panama, Egypt, and Greece, following the official draw held in Zurich on Thursday.
The competition, set to run in Doha from November 19 to December 13, will once again feature an expanded 48-team format, with 12 groups of four teams, as Qatar hosts the second of five consecutive editions through 2029.
Speaking virtually at the draw, Jassim Al Jassim, CEO, FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 Local Organising Committee, highlighted Qatar’s commitment towards delivering another exceptional edition of the prestigious youth tournament.
“Last year, Qatar made history by hosting the first-ever 48-team FIFA tournament, welcoming 1,008 young players. More than 197,000 fans attended 104 matches across eight pitches of the Aspire Zone complex, creating a unique festival atmosphere.
“A total of 130 scouts from leading clubs also gathered to witness football’s next generation up close. We are proud of the platform the 2025 edition provided for rising stars such as Hamza Abdelkarim, Mateus Mide, Anísio Cabral and Samuele Inacio,” said Al Jassim.
“This year, we build on everything we learned in 2025 to deliver an even greater experience for players, fans, and the global football community. Congratulations to all qualified teams, we look forward to welcoming you to Doha,” he added.
Returning teams include Italy, Brazil, Morocco, Japan, and Saudi Arabia, while Montenegro, Greece, Romania, Serbia, and Vietnam will make their tournament debuts.
46 of the 48 teams have qualified so far, with the final two spots to be decided through CAF play-offs on May 23.
Matches will take place at Aspire Zone’s Competition Complex, while the final will be held at Khalifa International Stadium on December 13.
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