Italy edges Qatar in a tense U-17 World Cup opener, setting the pace in Group A
3 November 2025
Opening day clash and tournament context
Qatar opened the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Doha with a 0-1 defeat to Italy on matchday seven at the Aspire Zone, kicking off the tournament’s first-ever edition in Qatar, a 48-team event spanning 25 days across eight venues. Italy finished second in Group A, level on goal difference with South Africa, who topped the group after a 3-1 win over Bolivia. Qatar finished third, and the group stage continues on Thursday with Bolivia vs Italy and Qatar vs South Africa.
Key moments and standout performances
Italy grabbed the lead in the 19th minute when Samuel Inacio pounced on a through ball splitting the Qatar defense and tucked the ball past the keeper. VAR intervened later to avert a potential red card for Qatar’s Sief Ahmed in the 31st minute. Qatar pressed in the second half, with Omar Al-Marzouqi testing the Italian defense in the 50th minute and Issa Walid nearly equalizing in the 87th minute, his long-range shot sailing just over. Italy’s defense held firm and Inacio was named the man of the match.
Meanwhile in Group A, South Africa recovered from a first-half red card to Sivi Bama to seal a 3-1 victory over Bolivia, with Emil Wetbui, New Bohloko and Shon Eils scoring for the Africans. Bolivia pulled one back from the spot through Santos Garcia, but the late second and third goals cemented the result.
Group standings and host nation preparation
The tournament, the FIFA U-17 World Cup, is hosted by Doha through 2029 on eight Aspire Zone venues, with a total of 104 matches scheduled. Qatar, making their eighth appearance, hope to improve on their best finish of fourth place in 1991 (Italy). The host nation, coached by Spanish manager Alvaro Mejía, prepared with a string of friendlies—Belgium (1-2), Croatia (0-3), and Ukraine (2-1)—and used the Gulf Youth Cup to give every player a chance to shine ahead of the world stage.
As the group phase unfolds, Bolivia and Italy will meet next while Qatar targets their first win of the campaign. The final will be staged at Khalifa International Stadium, underscoring that even youth tournaments can deliver big-stage drama and a few early morning coffee-fueled nerves for the players and fans alike. In the words of the internet’s inner snipers: "Tiny boots, giant dreams" and "If the pitch is small, the stakes aren’t—just the snacks!"
