Qatar gears up for FIFA U-17 World Cup as 100-day countdown begins
DOHA: Qatar is 100 days away from hosting the FIFA U-17 World Cup, with the tournament scheduled to take place from Nov. 19 to Dec. 13.
The 2026 edition will be the second of five consecutive tournaments Qatar is due to host annually through 2029, as the country seeks to build on its reputation for staging major international sporting events.
The tournament will feature 48 teams competing in 104 matches, with up to eight games scheduled each day during the group stage.
Qatar hosted the expanded 48-team edition for the first time in 2025, when Portugal won the title after beating Austria in the final at Khalifa International Stadium.
The U-17 World Cup has traditionally provided a platform for emerging players to make their mark on the international stage, with organisers highlighting Egyptian forward Hamza Abdelkarim as an example after his performances at the 2025 tournament helped earn him a senior World Cup debut in 2026.
All matches in this year’s tournament will be played at the Aspire Zone Competition Complex, creating a centralised setting for supporters.
The final will return to Khalifa International Stadium, where Portugal lifted the trophy in front of 38,901 spectators last year.
Alongside the football, organisers will stage cultural and entertainment activities at a dedicated fan zone under the tournament theme “TMRW’s GOAT”, aimed at celebrating the next generation of football talent.
