Qatar 2026 set for 25 days of FIFA U-17 World Cup action

FIFA has released the full schedule for the 21st edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, with all 48 participating teams due to gather in Qatar from 19 November 2026.

The tournament, which will be staged in Doha, is scheduled to run for more than three weeks. It marks a significant change in the competition’s history, with the FIFA U-17 World Cup becoming an annual event and the number of participating teams increasing to 48.

The opening match is scheduled to be Qatar against Panama at 15:30 on 19 November. An opening ceremony is expected to take place before kick-off.

The opening phase of the tournament will continue for just over a week, concluding on 27 November. The competition will then move into the knockout stages, beginning with the round of 32 on 30 November and 1 December.

Under the format selected by FIFA, the leading teams from each group will progress to the next stage. The 16 teams that qualify for the following round will then compete in the round of 16, which is scheduled for 3 and 4 December.

The quarter-finals will be played on 7 December, followed by the semi-finals on 10 December. The final and the third-place play-off are listed in the schedule for 13 December.

The tournament information also refers to the competition lasting until 13 December, although the accompanying account states that the third-place play-off and final will take place on 14 December. FIFA’s published calendar lists 13 December for both matches.

The full schedule is:

– First round: 19-27 November 2026 – Round of 32: 30 November and 1 December 2026 – Round of 16: 3 and 4 December 2026 – Quarter-finals: 7 December 2026 – Semi-finals: 10 December 2026 – Third-place play-off and final: 13 December 2026

The tournament will therefore begin with Qatar hosting Panama before the enlarged field moves through a first phase lasting until 27 November. The knockout programme will start three days later, with the decisive matches taking place in December.

The 2026 edition represents the beginning of a new cycle for the FIFA U-17 World Cup. From this edition onwards, the competition will be held every year rather than at longer intervals, while the expansion to 48 teams will create a larger tournament field.

Qatar will host the event, with Doha named as the venue city for the opening of the competition. The first fixture is due to follow the opening ceremony, as Qatar and Panama begin the 25-day schedule.