The draw for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup , held today in Zurich, Switzerland, placed the Saudi Arabian U-17 national team in a tough Group D alongside France, Uruguay, and Haiti. Sports fans eagerly anticipate this exceptional edition, which will be held in Qatar and promises plenty of excitement and competitive matches.
Qatar to host a historic 48-team tournament
Qatar is set to host the World Cup from November 19 to December 13, 2025. This edition is of paramount importance and international significance as it marks the first time the expanded format will be implemented, featuring 48 teams instead of 24. This reflects FIFA's vision for developing youth football and providing greater opportunities for young talents worldwide to showcase their abilities on the international stage. Qatar's hosting of the tournament further solidifies the impressive sporting legacy it has built following the spectacular organization of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The tournament will benefit from Qatar's advanced infrastructure and world-class stadiums, further enhancing the Arab region's position as a global sporting hub.
Saudi Arabia faces a tough challenge in a group of fire
The Saudi national team faces a significant challenge in Group D, where they will clash with established footballing traditions. France boasts a rich history in youth tournaments and is considered a perennial favorite, while Uruguay represents the physical strength and skill characteristic of Latin American football. Haiti, meanwhile, aims to prove its worth as a representative of the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF). This challenge demands a high level of technical and physical preparation from the Saudi coaching staff to secure qualification for the knockout stages and represent Asian and Arab football in the best possible way.
Historical background: An unforgettable Saudi achievement
The FIFA U-17 World Cup, which began in 1985, is considered the premier platform for discovering future stars. For Saudi Arabian football, this tournament holds glorious historical memories. In 1989, the Saudi Arabian youth national team achieved an unprecedented feat by winning the championship held in Scotland, becoming the first Arab and Asian team to achieve this global title after defeating the host nation, Scotland, in the final. This historical legacy serves as a powerful incentive for the current generation to recapture past glories and deliver performances worthy of Saudi Arabian football.
Full results of the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup draw
The 48 participating teams were divided into 12 groups, and the official results of the draw were as follows:
- Group 1: Qatar – Panama – Egypt – Greece.
- Group Two: South Korea – One of the teams that qualified from Africa – New Caledonia – Ecuador.
- Group 3: Argentina – Australia – One of the teams that qualified from Africa – Denmark.
- Group D: France – Haiti – Saudi Arabia – Uruguay.
- Group Five: Italy – Jamaica – Ivory Coast – Uzbekistan.
- Group Six: Senegal – Croatia – Cuba – Tajikistan.
- Group 7: Mali – New Zealand – Belgium – Vietnam.
- Group 8: Spain – China – Fiji – Morocco.
- Group Nine: Brazil – Ireland – Tanzania – Costa Rica.
- Group 10: United States – Montenegro – Chile – Algeria.
- Group Eleven: Mexico – Romania – Cameroon – Venezuela.
- Group Twelve: Japan – Colombia – Serbia – Honduras.
