AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has extended his best wishes to the host nation, Qatar, and all Asian representatives as the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025 begins on Monday.
Qatar | By Sayer Zaland
With the expanded 48-team FIFA U-17 World Cup set to kick off in Al Rayyan, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa praised Qatar’s preparations and described the tournament as a landmark moment for world youth football.
Nine Asian teams, Japan, Indonesia, Tajikistan, the United Arab Emirates, DPR Korea, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and host nation Qatar, will compete in the 20th edition of the global event. A total of 104 matches will be played between November 3 and 27 across eight venues in the Aspire Zone, with the final to take place at the Khalifa International Stadium.
“On behalf of the Asian football family, we wish the Qatari authorities and FIFA the very best ahead of what can only be described as a defining moment,” Shaikh Salman said. “Qatar is a leader in organising world-class competitions, and all of Asia stands proud of its ability to deliver another successful tournament.”
The AFC President also extended his encouragement to all participating Asian teams and match officials, expressing confidence that the competition would showcase the continent’s growing strength in youth football.
The opening day will feature three Asian sides in action: the United Arab Emirates face Costa Rica, Japan meet Morocco, and hosts Qatar take on Italy in the headline match in Al Rayyan.
The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 marks the tournament’s largest-ever edition and Qatar’s first time hosting it. Asia has won the title only once, when Saudi Arabia triumphed in 1999, and the continent’s nine representatives will look to make history again over the next three weeks.
