Qatar Set to Host Expanded 48-Team FIFA U-17 World Cup
The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 will feature 48 national teams and 104 matches, with ten African countries among the participants.
Qatar is preparing to host the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026, with 48 national teams due to contest 104 matches between 19 November and 13 December.
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Participating teams have been arriving in Doha ahead of the competition. Squads from Saudi Arabia, China, New Caledonia, Honduras, New Zealand, Vietnam, the Republic of Korea and Costa Rica had arrived, while the remaining teams were expected in the days leading up to the tournament.
Ten African teams in the field
Africa will be represented by Cameroon, Morocco, Mozambique, Senegal, Algeria, Tanzania, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Uganda and Mali.
The tournament will also feature seven debutants: Greece, Montenegro, Mozambique, Romania, Serbia, Tanzania and Vietnam. China is scheduled to return to the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the first time in 21 years.
The expanded 48-team format was introduced in the previous year. Qatar 2026 is the second of five consecutive editions scheduled to be hosted by Qatar through 2029.
Matches concentrated at Aspire Zone
The Aspire Zone Competition Complex will host matches throughout the tournament. During the group stage and the Round of 32, the venue is scheduled to stage up to eight games per day.
The single-venue approach was also used at the 2025 edition. According to the source, the format gives talent scouts an opportunity to watch emerging players at one location.
Qatar to open against Panama
Qatar is scheduled to begin its campaign against Panama on Thursday, 19 November, at 6:30 p.m. at Aspire Zone.
The final is scheduled for 13 December at 7:00 p.m. at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, bringing the month-long competition to a close.
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