2025 U17 World Cup: Burkina Faso set for redemption as full schedule confirmed

Burkina Faso’s U17 national team has confirmed its schedule for the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar, with the young Stallions determined to make a stronger impression this time around.

Led by head coach Oscar Barro, the squad is currently fine-tuning its preparations in Dubai ahead of the global showpiece, which will run from 3 to 25 November.

After a disappointing campaign in their previous appearance, Burkina Faso enters this edition with renewed ambition and a clear objective — to restore pride and prove their progress on the world stage.

The West African side will begin their group-stage journey on 5 November with a testing encounter against the United States.

Kick-off is set for 15:15 GMT, a match expected to set the tone for their campaign.

The Americans, known for their athleticism and tactical discipline, will provide a stern opening challenge for Barro’s men.

Their second group fixture follows on 8 November at 14:45 GMT, when they take on the Czech Republic.

The European side’s physical style and structured play are likely to test Burkina Faso’s technical and creative abilities in midfield — an area the young Stallions have worked to strengthen during their preparatory camp.

The group phase concludes with a clash against Tajikistan on 11 November, also at 14:45 GMT.

The match could prove decisive in determining whether Burkina Faso progresses to the knockout rounds, depending on earlier results.

Oscar Barro’s players have spent the past few weeks in Dubai focusing on tactical cohesion and mental readiness.

The camp has included several high-intensity training sessions and friendly matches designed to replicate the rhythm and pressure of a World Cup environment.

Team morale, according to sources close to the camp, remains high as the players aim to erase the memory of past disappointments.

Burkina Faso’s last appearance in the tournament ended earlier than expected, with the team struggling to convert promising performances into results.

This time, the young Stallions are viewed as more mature and tactically balanced, buoyed by the lessons learned from continental competitions and their experience in the CAF U17 Africa Cup of Nations.

With their fixtures now confirmed, anticipation is building across Burkina Faso as fans rally behind their rising stars.

The upcoming tournament offers not only a chance for redemption but also an opportunity to showcase the nation’s growing youth development system on the world stage.

Burkina Faso U17 World Cup schedule (Group stage)

• 5 November, 15:15 GMT: Burkina Faso vs USA
• 8 November, 14:45 GMT: Burkina Faso vs Czech Republic
• 11 November, 14:45 GMT: Burkina Faso vs Tajikistan