Forty-eight nations will compete for glory when the U-17 World Cup returns to Qatar from November 19 to December 13, 2026. Matches will be staged at the Aspire Zone complex in Al Rayyan, Doha. Thirty teams have qualified so far, including host nation Qatar, Concacaf representatives, and teams from CONMEBOL, OFC, and UEFA. Remaining qualification spots will be determined by the AFC U-17 Asian Cup and CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
The draw will take place on May 21 at the Home of FIFA in Zurich. The 48 qualified nations will be drawn into 12 groups of four, with the top two from each group and the eight best third-placed sides advancing to the Round of 32, after which the tournament becomes a knockout format.
Previous champions include Nigeria, Ghana, Saudi Arabia, and France. Last year's tournament was the first to feature 48 teams and was a huge success, with packed crowds enjoying the chance to watch the game's greatest young talents perform on the global stage.
