U17 WORLD CUP
Osimhen and Nigeria 2009 graduates headlines FIFA U17 list of 13 stars
The FIFA U-17 World Cup has played host to some of the game’s finest players. The likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Ronaldinho and Cesc Fabregas have all touched down at the U-17 global finals, en route to enjoying storied careers at the very top of the game.
Here, FIFA takes a look at a selection of current superstars who took their first steps on the world stage at the prestigious tournament.
Victor Osimhen
Osimhen notched a record-setting 10 goals in 2015 as Nigeria romped to an unmatched fifth crown. He would enjoy stints with Wolfsburg, Charleroi and Lille, before helping Napoli to a historic league title as the division’s top scorer in 2023.
Did you know?
In 2022/23, his 26 strikes broke Samuel Eto’o’s record of goals by an African player in a single Serie A season, while also surpassing George Weah of the highest-scoring African to play in the division.
Neymar
Brazil’s record goalscorer first twinkle-toed his way on to the world stage during the 2009 edition. While he netted the first of his A Seleção goals during the competition, he couldn’t prevent a first U-17 group-stage exit in more than 20 years. He has since gone on to play for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, while winning an Olympic gold medal.
Did you know?
A petition to get Neymar in Brazil’s squad for the 2010 World Cup received some 14,000 signatures, but coach Dunga decided against picking the teenage sensation.
Mario Gotze
Elsewhere at the 2009 edition, ‘Super’ Mario netted three times, but was unable to prevent a last-16 exit for Germany to eventual champions Switzerland. He would make his Bundesliga debut shortly after returning from the tournament and the rest, as they say, is history.
Did you know?
Gotze would go on to score the winning goal in the 2014 World Cup final as a substitute – the first player to ever do so – while becoming the youngest showpiece scorer since Wolfgang Weber in 1966.
Casemiro
Completing a trio of A Seleção stars from the 2009 tournament is midfield enforcer Casemiro, who featured in two of Brazil’s three group-stage games. He went on to enjoy a legendary spell with Real Madrid, winning five UEFA Champions League and three FIFA Club World Cups™ in the process, before moving to Manchester United.
Did you know?
Two years on from the disappointment of the U-17 finals, Casemiro was a part of the squad which lifted the FIFA U-20 World Cup™ in Colombia.
Toni Kroos
A beacon of consistency throughout a career of many highs and few lows, Kroos rose to prominence when he scooped the adidas Golden Ball from the 2007 tournament, helping Germany to the bronze medal in the process. He went on to win trophies aplenty for Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
Did you know?
Due to his exceptional passing ability, Kroos was nicknamed Garçom or ‘the waiter’ during the 2014 World Cup.
Heungmin Son
Joining Gotze in the three-goal club of ‘09 was Tottenham Hotspur superstar Son. His trio of strikes helped Korea Republic to a joint-best quarter-final finish in Nigeria. The forward would enjoy spells with Hamburg and Bayer Leverkusen in Germany prior to a hugely-successful move to Spurs.
Did you know?
With 111 goals [as of 5/11/23], he is the highest-scoring AFC player in Premier League history.
Alisson Becker
Alisson also played in all of Brazil’s games at the tournament, though the shot-stopper supreme failed to keep a clean sheet at the tournament. He more than 10 years with boyhood club Internacional, before moves to Roma and Liverpool established him as one of the world’s top goalkeepers.
Did you know?
In May 2021, he became the first goalkeeper ever to score for Liverpool – as well as the first to net a winning goal in a Premier League game – when he scored against West Brom with a dramatic late header.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Barcelona legend Ter Stegen kept goal behind Gotze and Co during that disappointing 2009 tournament. He went on to play more than 100 games for boyhood club Borussia Monchengladbach, ahead of a 2014 move to Barcelona.
Did you know?
During the 2022/23 season, Ter Stegen set a new record of 26 La Liga clean sheets.
Marquinhos
Brazil enjoyed a better campaign in 2011 as they reached the semi-final stage, with Marquinhos at the heart of their backline. He joined Roma the following year before moving to Paris Saint-Germain just 12 months later, where he has remained ever since.
Did you know?
When Marquinhos joined PSG for a reported £27m in 2013, he was the fifth-most expensive defender in football history. Only Rio Ferdinand, Thiago Silva, Lilian Thuram and Dani Alves cost more at the time.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool icon Alexander-Arnold featured just once during those 2015 finals as England fell to a first-ever group-stage exit. He has enjoyed more success since then, however, lifting a number of trophies with the Reds and winning more than 20 caps for England.
Did you know?
Away from the pitch, Alexander-Arnold is a keen chess player and has faced world champion Magnus Carlsen in the past.
Phil Foden
Foden’s brilliance helped inspire England to title glory at India 2017. The Manchester City prodigy netted a brace in the 5-2 final win over Spain and was named as the tournament’s best player. Plenty more goals and trophies have followed in the time since with his boyhood club.
Did you know?
Foden wears the now-famous No47 on his back to pay homage to his late grandad, who passed away at the same age.
Aurelien Tchouameni
Tchouameni also travelled to the 2017 edition and helped France to a perfect group stage, only for a 2-1 last-16 defeat to Spain to end their trophy hopes. Moves to Monaco and Real Madrid followed as well as senior international recognition. He starred at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, helping France to the final, though he would miss his spot-kick in their shootout defeat against Argentina.
Did you know?
While now a towering midfield presence for both club and country, Tchouameni started his career as a striker.
Pedri
Chief among Spain’s new generation of midfield dynamos is Barcelona wonderkid Pedri. A technically gifted and well-rounded midfielder, he burst on to the scene during Spain’s run to the quarter-finals of the 2019 tournament.
Did you know?
Pedri left secondary school with top grades across the board, and was offered a scholarship to study medicine at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
-FIFA
Morocco’s remarkable push for football excellence at every level gained fresh momentum on Tuesday as the country’s U-17 national team defeated Mali 3–2 to reach the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar — their first since 2013.
The Round of 16 clash at Aspire Academy Pitch 7 was a repeat of the 2023 U-17 AFCON final, which Mali won. This time, the Atlas Cubs showed grit and quality to turn the tables, underlining Morocco’s growing strength in youth development.
Morocco struck first through Ziyad Baha in the 29th minute, but Mali hit back on the stroke of halftime when Ndjicoura Bomba converted a 45+5 penalty. The Atlas Cubs responded instantly, reclaiming the lead through Ismail El Aoud at 45+11 before the forward completed his brace in the 66th minute.
Mali’s Berthe pulled one back deep into stoppage time (90+4), but Morocco held firm to secure a historic win.
Though Mali dominated possession with 58% and earned six corners to Morocco’s two, the North Africans were more efficient, firing 11 shots with seven on target compared to Mali’s 10 efforts and five on goal.
The victory capped an impressive campaign that has already seen Morocco record a staggering 16–0 win over New Caledonia and edge the USA on penalties in the previous phase.
Next up is a heavyweight quarter-final showdown with Brazil, who eliminated France on penalties. It will be a stern test, but Morocco’s youngsters continue to break barriers — reflecting the country’s wider quest for football glory on global, continental and developmental stages.
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U17 WORLD CUP
Uganda stun Senegal, Burkina Faso dump champions Germany as Africa’s youngsters light up U-17 World Cup
Uganda and Burkina Faso delivered the shocks of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ Round of 32 on Saturday, with the tournament debutants edging Senegal 1-0 before the Burkinabè knocked out holders Germany by the same scoreline.
South Africa and Tunisia exited after defeats to Japan and Austria respectively, while the last-16 line-up was completed with progress for England, Italy, Japan, Korea DPR, Austria and Uzbekistan.
Uganda struck early and held their nerve. Abubakali Walusimbi’s thumping drive from distance on 15 minutes beat Senegal goalkeeper Serigne Diouf to give the East Africans a lead they would not relinquish.
The Lions of Teranga, who had not conceded in the group stage, threw everything forward but found Edrisah Waibi in inspired form.
The goalkeeper, later named Player of the Match, produced a string of saves—his best a sharp stop from Mignane Ndour’s clean volley—as a penalty award was overturned and a late leveller ruled out for offside.
Waibi said the victory was built on character as much as tactics: “It was a good game; we played well. The physicality made it tough, but we were strong. It’s massive for my team to be in the last 16.”
Coach Brian Ssenyondo praised his side’s bravery: “We showed character, spirit and resilience. As tough as Senegal were, we fought for everything and deserved to win.”
Striker Alwaly Camara reflected on Senegal’s missed chances: “We should have won. We had three or four early opportunities. Mistakes cost you—next time, maybe things go our way.”
If Uganda’s win raised eyebrows, Burkina Faso’s result sent tremors through the tournament. Mohamed Zongo punished a German error on five minutes, cutting inside from the right to curl a stunning finish into the far corner.
Germany, champions in Indonesia two years ago, camped in the Burkinabè half after the break and thought they had equalised deep into stoppage time, but Benno Kaltefleiter’s close-range effort was ruled offside.
Burkina Faso coach Oscar Barro hailed a “flawless” display: “My young players showed tenacity, commitment and solidarity—these are warriors. They knew what they wanted and proved it on the pitch.”
Germany coach Marc-Patrick Meister admitted his side were short of their usual levels: “We didn’t play well and made a lot of mistakes with the ball. We kept going and were one goal short of penalties, but credit to my boys for the fight.”
Elsewhere, Japan’s high tempo proved too much for South Africa in a 3-0 win. After a goalless first half, Hiroto Asada poked home at the third attempt, Minato Yoshida added a composed second and substitute Shota Fujii headed a third to end Bafana Bafana’s campaign.
Tunisia also bowed out late, undone 2-0 by Austria as Johannes Moser converted an 83rd-minute penalty before a deflected effort off Mazen Slama Essefi sealed it a minute later.
Saturday’s results complete the last-16 cast, with Uganda and Burkina Faso joining England, Italy and Japan—each comfortable winners on the day—alongside Korea DPR, Austria and Uzbekistan.
For African fans, the headlines belonged to two bold, disciplined performances: Uganda’s first World Cup knockout victory and Burkina Faso’s dethroning of the champions.
-Cafonline
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Nine African sides have advanced to the Round of 32 at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025, with two intra-African ties guaranteeing at least two quarter-final contenders from the continent.
Zambia face Mali and Senegal meet Uganda in Friday–Saturday’s first knockout matches, while Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Burkina Faso and Tunisia take on European, Asian and North American opposition.
All kick-off times below are local (Qatar).
All-African ties
- Zambia v Mali – Fri 14 Nov, 15:30, Pitch 8 (Mahmoud Soufi Stadium)
A heavyweight contest between two familiar African rivals opens the round. Zambia’s attacking edge meets Mali’s tournament know-how in a clash that will send one African side into the last 16.
- Senegal v Uganda – Sat 15 Nov, 15:30, Pitch 7 (Mansour Muftah Stadium)
Group winners Senegal, inspired by a free-scoring frontline, face a disciplined Uganda who battled through a tight group. Expect high intensity and set-piece intrigue
The other African assignments
- Switzerland v Egypt – Fri 14 Nov, 16:00, Pitch 5 (Khaled Ballan Stadium)
Egypt carry Africa’s hopes in a European test against compact Switzerland. The young Pharaohs’ transition speed will be key against Swiss organisation. - USA v Morocco – Fri 14 Nov, 18:45, Pitch 7 (Mansour Muftah Stadium)
Hosts of AFCON 2025 at senior level, Morocco’s U-17s now seek a statement win against a well-drilled USA. Defensive concentration will be crucial against American pressing.
- Japan v South Africa – Sat 15 Nov, 16:30, Pitch 3 (Bader Bilal Stadium)
South Africa’s resilience is rewarded with a meeting against Japan’s technical, high-tempo side. Bafana Bafana’s counter-attacking threat could decide it.
- Germany v Burkina Faso – Sat 15 Nov, 17:45, Pitch 2 (Ibrahim Khalfan Stadium)
Burkina Faso earned their knockout berth with grit and big-moment goals. Germany provide elite opposition, but the Stallions have shown they can disrupt favourites.
- Austria v Tunisia – Sat 15 Nov, 18:45, Pitch 5 (Khaled Ballan Stadium)
Tunisia must unlock a disciplined Austria in a matchup likely to hinge on fine margins. Game management and set pieces look pivotal.
Why it matters for Africa
With nine representatives in the last 32 and two all-African fixtures, the continent is guaranteed at least two teams in the Round of 16.
The bracket also offers opportunities for further progress should Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Burkina Faso and Tunisia navigate their varied tests against European and Asian opponents.
The knockout phase follows a performance-based seeding from the group stage.
Teams from the same group cannot meet in this round; where necessary, fixtures are adjusted to avoid repeats.
The winners advance to the last 16 as the race to Doha’s final accelerates.
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