Rising Dragons: Qatar U17 Set to Shine at the World Cup, Home Ground Advantage

Qatar U17 set to light up the World Cup stage with home crowd backing

With 30 days to go until the FIFA U-17 World Cup kicks off in Qatar, the country’s young Maroons express pride in representing their nation on the global stage, as the tournament runs from November 3 to 27 and expands to 48 teams for the first time.

The draw placed Qatar in Group A alongside Italy U17, South Africa U17, and Bolivia U17, setting up a demanding opening for the hosts.

Qatar’s youngsters begin their campaign on November 3 against Italy, aiming to better the hosts’ best-ever finish of fourth place at the 1991 edition.

In talks with the tournament organizers, Zaid Faisal, a Qatar U17 midfielder, noted that the event is a milestone for players who are proud to represent Qatar in a World Cup for the youth category.

He added that the team will rise to the challenge and that the global stage offers a tremendous platform to showcase future talents of the country. Playing teams from around the world will help the players grow, and the squad hopes to deliver honorable results that make the nation proud.

Omar Al-Marzouqi, a player from Al-Sadd, said the team aims to reach the group stage, urging maximum effort and a competitive spirit. He added that fans worldwide will be watching, and this is a rare opportunity to open new horizons.

Ahmed Saber, a young player from Al-Arabi, expressed that joining the Qatar U17 squad is a dream come true and that he has long wished to represent Qatar at this World Cup. He emphasized that the experience will sharpen skills, especially when facing strong opponents, and he hopes to someday wear the senior national jersey.

Matches at the World Cup for Youth total 104 and will be played at the Aspire Zone complex, with eight matches daily across different rounds. The final is scheduled for Khalifa International Stadium on November 27, marking the tournament as the first 48-team edition of this event.

The Local Organizing Committee announced that ticket sales would begin this week. Hassan Rabiaa Al-Kuwari, the executive director for marketing and commercial affairs, stated that ticket sales mark a key milestone in hosting the event and invited fans from around the world to enjoy a season of football experiences, hospitality, and cultural exchange.

Qatar’s calendar remains busy as the nation also hosts the Arab Cup from December 1 to 18. The committee, in cooperation with FIFA, announced that Qatar will stage the final three matches of the annual tournament to crown the world’s best club of 2025. The event will add to Doha’s already packed December schedule, with cornerstones of three titles taking place on December 10, 13, and 17.

Historically, Qatar has hosted the annual club tournament in 2019, 2020, and last year in 2024, when Real Madrid lifted the trophy at Lusail Stadium, already memorably linked to the country’s World Cup legacy. The committee noted that the final on December 17 will feature the winners of major regional competitions taking on the European champion, with the aim of delivering a showcase of global club football in the heart of Doha.

In closing, organizers emphasized that the combined events illustrate Qatar’s commitment to a packed football calendar and to providing a platform for young talents to shine on the world stage while inviting international fans to experience hospitality and rich culture. The season promises a mix of youth development, high-stakes matches, and a celebration of global football culture.

Punchlines aside, let’s keep it real: if the youngsters can sprint like their WiFi signal, they will stream straight into the next round. And if football ever needed a hero, it’s the kid who brings snacks and a killer left foot to the bus ride home.