All you need to know about the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup

FIFA U-17 World Cup

All roads will lead to India from Friday for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup football – not cricket – competition.

Here is a lowdown on everything you should know about the event.

When is the U-17 World Cup? 

The showpiece will run from October 6 to 20 2017.

When did India get the hosting right?

The Asian nation was handed the hosting rights in December 2013 fending off competition from Azerbaijan, Republic of Ireland and Uzbekistan. This will be the first time the world’s second most populous nation will be hosting a FIFA tournament.

What about match venues?

Fifty-two matches will be played across six stadiums in six host cities around the country, namely:

Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata

DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai

Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi

Fatorda Stadium, Margao

Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati

Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi

The final is billed for the 67,000 capacity Salt Lake Stadium.

Who are the qualified countries?

A total of 24 teams qualified for the final tournament. In addition to India, the other 23 teams made it from six separate continental competitions.

Africa: Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Niger

Asia: India (hosts), Iran, Iraq, Japan, Korea DPR

Europe: England, France, Germany, Spain, Turkey

Central, North America and Caribbean: Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, USA

Oceania: New Caledonia, New Zealand

South America: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay

Any debutant(s)? 

Yes. Three teams are making their first appearance at the event – Niger, New Caledonia as well as hosts India.

Who’re the defending champions?

Nigeria. However, the Golden Eaglets, record five-time champions, failed to make the cut this time.

How about the favourites?

As in other international tourneys, Brazil arrive India with the favourite tag. In the absence of Nigeria, the junior Selecao, with three titles, are the most decorated side. They would have to battle with Mexico, another side with some sort of dominance at the youth level.

What about the underdogs?

Forget they’re the host, India head into the competition as one of the underdogs. Yes, they may have the support of over one billion fans, but have never been to any major competition of any kind, hence expect them to stutter.