FIFA has granted Qatar and Morocco the rights to host the FIFA Under-17 men's and women’s World Cup, respectively, for the next five years starting from 2025.
The football governing body announced on Thursday, March 14 that Qatar will host the next five editions of the boys’ Under-17 World Cup from 2025 to 2029, while the girls’ tournament is set to be played in Morocco.
FIFA made it known in December that both youth tournaments would be held annually starting next year, with the boys’ event expanding from 24 to 48 teams while the number of girls’ teams involved will also increase, from 16 to 24.
The football governing body said the decision to appoint a single host nation for multiple editions centered on the capacity to make “use of existing footballing infrastructure in the interest of tournament efficiencies and sustainability.”
FIFA released a statement that read: "Qatar will host the next five editions from 2025, with Morocco the venue for FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the same period."
"The FIFA Council has confirmed that the FIFA U-17 World Cup™ will be expanded to 48 teams and be held annually rather than biennially, as part of the governing body’s steadfast commitment to youth football. It was also confirmed that the next five editions of the competition, starting in 2025, will take place in Qatar."
"Meanwhile, the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™, which has been expanded to 24 teams and will be played annually as of 2025, will be hosted by Morocco until 2029."
"These decisions followed a global call for expressions of interest in hosting both competitions, with a focus on leveraging the use of existing footballing infrastructure in the interest of tournament efficiencies and sustainability."
The recent Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand also saw an increase in teams, from 24 to 32.
In addition, FIFA has revealed that they have allocated a historic $2.25 billion for the 2023-2026 cycle to invest in football development.
They have also stated that the organization is poised to surpass its budget goal of $11 billion for the same cycle.
Meanwhile, the expansion of the boys' and girls' World Cup tournaments will provide more opportunities for young players to compete on a global stage and further develop their skills.
Qatar, known for hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2022, will now have the chance to continue its footballing legacy by hosting the U-17 boys' tournament for the next five editions.
On the other hand, Morocco will shine as the host nation for the U-17 girls' World Cup, bringing attention to the growth of women's football in the region.
Both nations are sure to deliver unforgettable experiences for the players, fans, and the global football community.
These decisions indicate the rising influence of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in global football governance.
Both Morocco and Qatar have hosted the Club World Cup multiple times, and Morocco is set to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations while Saudi Arabia is expected to host the men's World Cup in 2034.
In addition, Morocco will co-host the 2030 World Cup along with Spain and Portugal. In celebration of its centenary, three matches of the said edition will be played in South America.
Qatar and Morocco also have representatives on the 37-member Fifa Council.
The 2024 Women's Under-17 World Cup will be hosted by the Dominican Republic, beginning on October 16.
In contrast, the previous Men's Under-17 edition in 2023 was held in Indonesia after the nation declined to host the Men's Under-20 World Cup for geopolitical reasons.
The football governing body announced on Thursday, March 14 that Qatar will host the next five editions of the boys’ Under-17 World Cup from 2025 to 2029, while the girls’ tournament is set to be played in Morocco.
FIFA made it known in December that both youth tournaments would be held annually starting next year, with the boys’ event expanding from 24 to 48 teams while the number of girls’ teams involved will also increase, from 16 to 24.
The football governing body said the decision to appoint a single host nation for multiple editions centered on the capacity to make “use of existing footballing infrastructure in the interest of tournament efficiencies and sustainability.”
FIFA released a statement that read: "Qatar will host the next five editions from 2025, with Morocco the venue for FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the same period."
"The FIFA Council has confirmed that the FIFA U-17 World Cup™ will be expanded to 48 teams and be held annually rather than biennially, as part of the governing body’s steadfast commitment to youth football. It was also confirmed that the next five editions of the competition, starting in 2025, will take place in Qatar."
"Meanwhile, the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™, which has been expanded to 24 teams and will be played annually as of 2025, will be hosted by Morocco until 2029."
"These decisions followed a global call for expressions of interest in hosting both competitions, with a focus on leveraging the use of existing footballing infrastructure in the interest of tournament efficiencies and sustainability."
The recent Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand also saw an increase in teams, from 24 to 32.
In addition, FIFA has revealed that they have allocated a historic $2.25 billion for the 2023-2026 cycle to invest in football development.
They have also stated that the organization is poised to surpass its budget goal of $11 billion for the same cycle.
Meanwhile, the expansion of the boys' and girls' World Cup tournaments will provide more opportunities for young players to compete on a global stage and further develop their skills.
Qatar, known for hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2022, will now have the chance to continue its footballing legacy by hosting the U-17 boys' tournament for the next five editions.
On the other hand, Morocco will shine as the host nation for the U-17 girls' World Cup, bringing attention to the growth of women's football in the region.
Both nations are sure to deliver unforgettable experiences for the players, fans, and the global football community.
These decisions indicate the rising influence of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in global football governance.
Both Morocco and Qatar have hosted the Club World Cup multiple times, and Morocco is set to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations while Saudi Arabia is expected to host the men's World Cup in 2034.
In addition, Morocco will co-host the 2030 World Cup along with Spain and Portugal. In celebration of its centenary, three matches of the said edition will be played in South America.
Qatar and Morocco also have representatives on the 37-member Fifa Council.
The 2024 Women's Under-17 World Cup will be hosted by the Dominican Republic, beginning on October 16.
In contrast, the previous Men's Under-17 edition in 2023 was held in Indonesia after the nation declined to host the Men's Under-20 World Cup for geopolitical reasons.