Groups finalised for 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar
The draw for the 48-team 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup has been confirmed, with defending champions Portugal notably missing from the line-up.
Photo: goal.com
The groups for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar have been officially finalised. The tournament will feature 48 teams, with hosts Qatar drawn into Group A alongside Panama, Egypt, and Greece.
A notable absentee from the upcoming competition is Portugal, the defending champions who won the title in Qatar last year. However, the tournament will see the return of several major footballing nations, including Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Spain, and Japan, all eager to challenge for the crown.
Jassim Al Jassim, CEO of the Local Organising Committee, highlighted the country's readiness to build on the success of the 2025 edition, which saw over 197,000 fans attend matches and attracted scouts from leading clubs worldwide.
We build on everything we learned in 2025 to deliver an even greater experience for players, fans, and the global football community. Jassim Al Jassim
The competition will follow a centralised format with all 104 matches taking place within the Aspire Zone complex. The final is scheduled to be held at the Khalifa International Stadium. Two final spots in the 48-team line-up remain to be decided on 23 May, following the conclusion of the CAF play-off matches at the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.