Qatar is going to organize the next five editions of the boys’ Under-17 World Cup from 2025 to 2029, while the girls’ tournament will take place in Morocco, according to FIFA’s announcement on Thursday.
Last December, FIFA, the governing body of world football, announced that both youth tournaments would be held every year starting from next year. The boys’ event will include 48 teams, up from 24, and the number of girls’ teams will increase from 16 to 24.
FIFA stated that the decision to select a single host nation for multiple editions was based on the ability to utilize existing football infrastructure for the benefit of the tournament's effectiveness and sustainability.
Qatar hosted the 2022 men’s World Cup and the Asian Cup this year after taking over from China, the original host.
Morocco, along with Spain and Portugal, will co-host the 2030 World Cup, with three matches to be held in South America to celebrate its centenary.
Both Qatar and Morocco have previously hosted the Club World Cup multiple times. Morocco is also slated to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The expansion of the Under-17 World Cup mirrors a broader FIFA trend, as the men’s 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams for the first time. Additionally, last year’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand saw the number of participating countries grow from 24 to 32.
AFP
