One Zone, One Big Festival: Qatar Gears Up for the U-17 World Cup
2 November 2025
What to Expect at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025
Doha hosts the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 starting tomorrow, staging a 25-day festival at the Doha Competition Complex with eight Aspire Zone venues. Qatar welcomes fans from around the world as the next generation of stars is set to shine on the global stage.
Below are ten key numbers and features of this edition:
Key numbers and features
1- The biggest edition ever: 48 teams
The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 marks the largest edition in history, featuring 48 nations competing for the title.
2- A single-region festival
All 104 matches will be played across eight venues in Aspire Zone, offering fans a unified tournament experience, with the final at Khalifa International Stadium.
3- Up to eight games in a day
From the group stage through the Round of 32, fans can attend up to eight matches in a single day with a day-pass, plus a fan zone for live screenings and diverse food options.
4- Five debutant nations
Fiji, the Republic of Ireland, Zambia, El Salvador, and Uganda are making their first World Cup appearance, adding fresh stories and rivalries.
5- A football festival
A vibrant match-day area will welcome fans from 1:30 pm onward, with live broadcasts and a wide array of local and global cuisine.
6- Activities and events
The fan zones will host daily cultural and entertainment events from late afternoon to evening, celebrating global diversity with performances and folklore.
7- A platform for emerging talents
Beyond the pitch, the tournament will highlight youth talent in Qatar, featuring esports, cultural shows, and student-led activities in the fan zones.
8- The official mascot
The mascot draws inspiration from Bora Milutinovic, the legendary Serbian coach who helped shape football’s talent pipelines worldwide.
9- An inclusive experience for all fans
Accessibility is a priority: wheelchair seating, Arabic and English audio-described commentary on several matches, and a dedicated room for fans with autism or sensory processing difficulties.
10- A community hub
Local groups—Qatar Foundation education programs, Scouts and Guides Qatar, Doha Film Institute, and other partners—will host workshops, film evenings, storytelling, and fitness events in the fan zones.
Ready for more? Qatar also announced full readiness for the Arab Cup, running December 1-18, with a record prize pool of over 36.5 million USD and 16 teams. Algeria, the defending champion, and host Qatar lead the lineup, with tickets going on sale September 30 and strong demand from fans across the region.
Punchline 1: If football were a sniper, Doha’s festival would be the target—spot-on entertainment with a net worth of laughs.
Punchline 2: They say the offside line is a suggestion; in Qatar, it’s more like a GPS coordinate—always guiding the crowd to the nearest snack stall.
