DOHA: The expanded 48-team FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar is set to mark a new era for youth football, according to Asian Football Confederation president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa.

A record Asian nine teams – AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 quarter-finalists Japan, Indonesia, Tajikistan and the United Arab Emirates, semi-finalists DPR Korea and Korea Republic, finalist Saudi Arabia and eventual champions Uzbekistan as well as host nation for the next five editions, Qatar – will look to capture a second title for the Continent in the 20th iteration of the global showpiece.

A total of 104 matches will take place from November 3, with all contests up until the Final to be staged across eight pitches at the state-of-the-art Aspire Zone complex before the iconic Khalifa International Stadium provides the backdrop for the eagerly anticipated decider on November 27.

Shaikh Salman said: “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, one that will transform the trajectory of world youth football for generations to come.

“Qatar are undoubtedly industry leaders in organising world-class football competitions and the whole of Asia stands united with immense confidence and pride in their abilities to deliver another momentous tournament.

“We thank them for sharing our ambitions through the AFC’s Vision and Mission of providing our rising stars with a world-class platform and I also wish all our competing teams as well as our match officials a successful three weeks in Qatar,” added the AFC President.

Three Asian sides will be involved in the opening action on Monday, November 3. The United Arab Emirates will be the first to compete in Group C against Costa Rica at 3:30pm at Aspire Zone Pitch 8. The West Asians, poised for their fourth appearance, will then face 2015 quarter-finalists Croatia on November 6, before playing two-time champions Senegal on November 9.

Set for their 11th tournament, Japan will be aiming for their fourth consecutive progression from the Group Stage. They begin their Group B journey against CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations winners and 2023 quarter-finalists Morocco at Pitch 5, one hour later. The young Samurai Blue will then focus on OFC U-16 Championship third-place finishers New Caledonia on November 6 and UEFA European Under-17 Championship winners Portugal on November 9.

Finally, on the first day, Qatar, whose best performance in seven outings was a fourth-place finish in 1991, will kick off their Group A campaign against UEFA Under-17 Championship semi-finalists Italy at 6:45pm. South Africa on November 6 and Bolivia on November 9, both gearing up for their second and third showpieces respectively, will aim to challenge the young Maroons in their bid to qualify for the Knockout Stage for the first time since 1999.

Three-time quarter-finalists Korea Republic will go head-to-head against two-time champions Mexico in a tantalising Group F contest at Pitch 1 on Tuesday, November 4, at 4pm. The East Asians will also contend with 2009 winners Switzerland on November 7 and CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations third-place finishers Cote d’Ivoire on November 10.

Starring in only their second Finals and first on merit, Indonesia will fancy their chances against debutants Zambia when the two sides meet at Pitch 7 at 6:45pm. A tough battle awaits the 2023 hosts in their next Group H tie against powerhouses and four-time champions Brazil on November 7, before Honduras, who last qualified in 2017, look to prove their mettle against the young Garudas on November 10.

Kicking off simultaneously, DPR Korea will seek a victorious start against debutants El Salvador at Pitch 9. The AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 semi-finalists will then face stern challengers in defending champions Germany on November 7 and South American U-17 Championship runners-up Colombia on November 10.

The thrilling action continues on Wednesday, November 5, with Tajikistan, who secured their third qualification, opening their Group I campaign against a Czechia side returning after a 14-year absence, at Pitch 8 at 3:30pm. The Central Asians will then shift their focus towards the USA on November 8 and Burkina Faso on November 11.

Meanwhile, Asian champions Uzbekistan, who have reached at least the quarter-finals at seven of the past eight Continental tournaments, will be looking to impress by advancing to the same stage as the previous global finals in Indonesia 2023. The young White Wolves will be hoping to successfully navigate past Group J rivals Paraguay on November 5 at 4pm, and also battle with the Republic of Ireland on November 8 and Panama on November 11.

Returning to the global arena for the first time since their 1999 triumph, Saudi Arabia will begin their quest for glory against Group L opponents Austria at Pitch 5 at 4:30pm. OFC U-16 Championship winners New Zealand on November 8 and CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations runners-up Mali on November 11 await the AFC U-17 Asian Cup™ runners-up as they seek to rewrite the history books once more.

Click here to access the full list of AFC match officials appointed to the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 and follow the riveting displays from all nine Asian contenders here.

All times indicated are in respective local times.

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