Qatar, 13 Nov 2026 – FIFA President Gianni Infantino has expressed high expectations for the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 in Qatar, highlighting the tournament’s growing global reach as Vietnam prepare to make their historic debut alongside seven other first-time participants.
Infantino visited Doha, Qatar, to inspect preparations for the tournament, which is scheduled to begin on November 19. This will be the second consecutive year Qatar has hosted the competition under its expanded 48-team format, introduced in 2025. The FIFA president believes the tournament will provide an important platform for young footballers from different continents to compete, develop their abilities and build connections beyond the pitch.
“Expectations are always high, very high,” Infantino said. “The FIFA U17 World Cup is a wonderful tournament, bringing together the best young male players from around the world. Forty-eight teams from six continents will come together to compete and determine the best team in the world.”
The FIFA U17 World Cup Qatar 2026 will take place from November 19 to December 13, featuring 48 national teams divided into 12 groups of four. A total of 104 matches are scheduled, with most fixtures taking place at the Aspire Zone sports complex in Al Rayyan, Doha. The final will be held at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, bringing the month-long competition to a close.
Reflecting on the 2025 edition, the first to feature 48 teams, Infantino praised the event for its competitive quality and its ability to bring young players together. He described the tournament as more than a sporting competition, pointing to the friendships formed between teams and the opportunities for players to experience different football cultures.
“Last year’s experience was truly successful and brought joy to everyone,” he said. “It was a celebration of football, unity and friendship. Teams did not just compete; they also stayed to watch each other’s matches, creating wonderful friendships. That was something special, and I believe this year’s tournament will be even better.”
One of the most significant features of the 2026 tournament is the participation of eight national teams making their FIFA U17 World Cup debuts: Greece, Montenegro, Mozambique, Romania, Serbia, Tanzania, Vietnam and the Dominican Republic. Their inclusion reflects the wider opportunities created by FIFA’s decision to expand the competition and organise it annually, allowing more young players to experience international football at the highest level.
Infantino also pointed to the unpredictable nature of youth football, noting that defending champions Portugal will not participate in this year’s tournament despite winning the 2025 title after defeating Austria in the final. He believes the changing lineup of participating nations demonstrates that talented young footballers can emerge from countries across the world, making the competition increasingly difficult to predict.
“The fact that Portugal, last year’s champions after a wonderful final against Austria, are not here this year, together with the arrival of so many first-time participants, shows how unpredictable football can be,” Infantino explained. “It is very difficult to predict which team will reach the final and win the title. That proves football talent exists everywhere in the world because football belongs to everyone.”
Qatar is hosting the second of five consecutive FIFA U17 World Cups scheduled to take place in the country between 2025 and 2029. Infantino believes the arrangement offers several advantages, including established infrastructure, organisational experience, security and facilities capable of accommodating teams from across the globe. The consistent hosting environment is also expected to support the tournament’s development as it adjusts to its expanded format.
For Vietnam U17, the 2026 edition represents a historic milestone as the country prepares for its first appearance at the competition. Under head coach Cristiano Roland, Vietnam have been drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, New Zealand and Mali, providing the young squad with an opportunity to test themselves against opponents from three different footballing regions.
Although Vietnam face a demanding challenge in Qatar, participation itself marks an important step in the development of the country’s youth football programme. Competing against international opposition will allow Roland’s players to gain experience, improve their tactical understanding and measure their progress against some of the world’s most promising young talents.
As the tournament approaches, Infantino’s message reflects FIFA’s ambition to make youth football more accessible and competitive on a global scale. For Vietnam and the seven other debutants, the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 offers an opportunity not only to compete for results but also to establish their presence on one of international football’s biggest youth stages.
VSN/RPT
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