BAKU/AIPS: Jennifer Lopez and Shakira will perform during the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, Azerbaijan 2012.

Jennifer Lopez will perform at the Opening Ceremony in Baku’s Tofig Bahramov Stadium on September 22 and Shakira will perform on October 13 during the final match of the tournament at the same venue.

The tournament takes place in Baku and Lankaran from September 22 to October 13. Participating teams are  Azerbaijan, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, China PR, Gambia, Ghana, Japan, Korea DPR, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Uruguay, USA, Germany and France.

FIFA has described the competition as a landmark event, the first time that the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will take place in Europe, the first time that a FIFA competition will be held in Azerbaijan, and the first time that Azerbaijan will compete in the finals of a FIFA tournament.

First held in New Zealand in 2008, and then again in Trinidad and Tobago in 2010, the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is  FIFA’s youngest competition. It is a tournament that has already served as a springboard for many of the young women making their mark on international football today. Players who made their debut at the first edition of this event in 2008 and went on to compete at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany last year include Mana Iwabuchi, Alexandra Popp, Rosie White, Yoreli Rincón and Un Ju Kim.

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