From October 26, the best young footballers, under the age of 17 will converge on Brazil for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup. In the first part of this special package, Sporting Ambassador brings you all you need to know about the 24 participating teams.
AFRICA
Africa is the most successful continent in the U-17 World Cup with seven titles. The last four teams at the U-17 AFCON hosted by Tanzania qualified for the cadet World Cup. They are Cameroon, Nigeria, Angola and Senegal. Though Guinea finished second, they were expelled for fielding two ineligible players.
Africa champions, Cameroon are making their second appearance at the U-17 World Cup after they debuted at the 2003 edition, where they could not go beyond they group stage.
The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria are the most successful side in this tournament with five titles. They won the inaugural edition in 1985 and also in 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.
Angola and Senegal have never qualified for the U-17 World Cup. So they will be making their debut appearance in Brazil. The only African team to have won the U-17 World Cup besides the Golden Eaglets is the Black Starlets of Ghana. Unfortunately, they failed to qualify for Brazil 2019.
ASIA
Asia has won the U-17 World Cup only once when Saudi Arabia won the tournament in 1989. But, Saudi Arabia did not qualify for this edition. Asia will be represented by Australia, Japan, South Korea and Tajikistan.
Australia will be making their 13th appearance. Their best performance was in 1999 when they were beaten by Brazil in the final.
Japan has made eight previous appearances at the U-17 World Cup. They have never gone beyond the quarter-finals, a feat they achieved as host in 1993 and in 2011.
South Korea will be making their 6th appearance in Brazil. Their best performances were a quarterfinal place in 1987 and 2009.
Asia’s fourth representative is Tajikistan. They are making a return to the World Cup after 12 years. When they debuted in South Korea 2007, they crashed out in the round of 16.
CENTRAL, NORTH AMERICA AND CARRIBEANS
This continent has won the U-17 World Cup twice courtesy of Mexico’s triumph in 2005 and 2011.
The CONCACAF champions Mexico will lead the continent’s challenge in Brazil. They will be making their 14th appearance. Besides winning the championship twice, they have finished runners-up once 2013, when they were beaten 3-0 by the Flying Eagles.
Canada will be making their 7th appearance and they have never gone beyond the group stage.
Having made 16 previous appearances, the United States of America will be aiming to win their first U-17 title in Brazil. Their best previous performance was a fourth place finish in 1999.
Haiti will be making their second consecutive appearance. When they debuted in the last edition, they could not go beyond the group stages.
SOUTH AMERICA
As the host continent, South America will be presenting five teams at the cadet World Cup.
Brazil is the host and nothing will satisfy them than winning their fourth title in their 17th appearance. They emerged champions in 1997, 1999 and in 2009.
Despite their exploits in other categories, Argentina is yet to lift the U-17 World Cup. They have emerged third in 1991, 1995 and 2003. Winning in their continent will surely be their ultimate goal.
As Chile makes their fifth appearance in the U-17 World Cup, they will attempt to better their third place finish in Japan 93.
Ecuador and Paraguay will be making their fifth appearance respectively. Both teams have never gone beyond the quarter-finals.
OCEANIA
Oceania has never won the U-17 World Cup. New Zealand and Solomon Islands will be hoping to re-write the continent’s history as they represent Oceania in Brazil.
While New Zealand is making their ninth appearance, Solomon Islands are making their debut appearance. New Zealand’s best performance was getting to the round of 16.
EUROPE
Europe has won the U-17 World Cup four times. But, only France has done so among their five representatives to Brazil.
France will be making their 7th appearance. Their best performance so far was in Trinidad and Tobago 2001, where they defeated the Golden Eaglets in the final.
European champions, Netherlands will be making their fourth appearance as they aim to better their previous best performance, a third place finish, achieved in 2005.
Italy is set for her eighth appearance after missing the two previous editions. Their best performance was a fourth place finish, which they achieved 32 years ago.
Spain could be described as the most unfortunate team of the U-17 World Cup. They have played in four finals and lost all, including a 3-0 loss to the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria in 2007. As they make their tenth appearance, they will surely aim for glory.
After participating in the inaugural edition in 1985, Hungary is making a return after 34 years. They were eliminated at the quarter-finals of that inaugural edition.
