Youth Tournaments Expand Global Pathways Ahead of Annual Editions
Zurich | By Taieb Khatizwal
FIFA has confirmed that the official draws for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026™ and the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026™ will take place on 21 May at its headquarters in Zurich.
The announcement comes as both competitions continue to evolve under FIFA’s expanded annual format, aimed at increasing global participation and strengthening youth development pathways. The men’s tournament will feature 48 teams and is scheduled to run from 19 November to 13 December 2026, while the women’s competition, involving 24 teams, will be held from 17 October to 7 November 2026.
The draws, which will be attended by former players and representatives of participating nations, will determine the group-stage matchups and set the competitive framework for both tournaments. Proceedings will be broadcast globally, reflecting FIFA’s efforts to enhance visibility and engagement at the youth level.
The expansion of these tournaments follows the inaugural annual editions held last year, which were widely seen as a significant step in broadening access to elite competition for emerging talent. Analysts note that the shift toward larger and more frequent youth tournaments signals a strategic emphasis on early-stage player development as a cornerstone of football’s global growth model.
The FIFA U-17 World Cup has entered a new phase with an expanded format and annual scheduling, while the U-17 Women’s World Cup continues to grow in scale and visibility, underscoring increasing institutional investment in youth and women’s football worldwide.