Nigeria set the pace as Germany prepare to defend Under-17 World Cup crown

Germany will begin the latest edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup as defending champions after winning the 2023 tournament in Indonesia, but Nigeria remain the competition’s record winners with five titles.

Nigeria first lifted the trophy in 1985 and have since added victories in 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015. Their 2015 triumph was achieved with Victor Osimhen in the squad.

Brazil are the second-most successful nation in the history of the tournament, having won four times. Ghana have claimed two titles, while Mexico have also been crowned champions twice.

The other winners are Germany, the Soviet Union, Saudi Arabia, France, Switzerland and England, who have each lifted the trophy once.

Ghana are the second African nation to have won the competition. The Black Starlets were champions in 1991 and 1995, and also reached the final in 1997.

Although Mali, Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire have never won the tournament, all three African nations have finished on the podium.

U-17 World Cup roll of honour

1985, China Champions: Nigeria Runners-up: West Germany Third: Brazil

1987, Canada Champions: Soviet Union Runners-up: Nigeria Third: Cote d’Ivoire

1989, Scotland Champions: Saudi Arabia Runners-up: Scotland Third: Portugal

1991, Italy Champions: Ghana Runners-up: Spain Third: Argentina

1993, Japan Champions: Nigeria Runners-up: Ghana Third: Chile

1995, Ecuador Champions: Ghana Runners-up: Brazil Third: Argentina

1997, Egypt Champions: Brazil Runners-up: Ghana Third: Spain

1999, New Zealand Champions: Brazil Runners-up: Australia Third: Ghana

2001, Trinidad and Tobago Champions: France Runners-up: Nigeria Third: Burkina Faso

2003, Finland Champions: Brazil Runners-up: Spain Third: Portugal

2005, Peru Champions: Mexico Runners-up: Brazil Third: Netherlands

2007, Korea Republic Champions: Nigeria Runners-up: Spain Third: Germany

2009, Nigeria Champions: Switzerland Runners-up: Nigeria Third: Spain

2011, Mexico Champions: Mexico Runners-up: Uruguay Third: Germany

2013, United Arab Emirates Champions: Nigeria Runners-up: Mexico Third: Sweden

2015, Chile Champions: Nigeria Runners-up: Mali Third: Belgium

2017, India Champions: England Runners-up: Spain Third: Brazil

2019, Brazil Champions: Brazil Runners-up: Mexico Third: France

2023, Indonesia Champions: Germany Runners-up: France Third: Mali

Nations with the most titles

Nigeria lead the all-time standings with five championships, won in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.

Brazil have won four times, in 1997, 1999, 2003 and 2019. Ghana’s two successes came in 1991 and 1995, while Mexico were champions in 2005 and 2011.

Germany’s 2023 victory was their only title. The Soviet Union won in 1987, Saudi Arabia in 1989, France in 2001, Switzerland in 2009 and England in 2017.