By Victor Kanayo
World Football governing body FIFA has announced that the Under-17 World Cup will as from 2025 take place annually.
The global soccer authority also revealed that Qatar will host the competition in the next five years.
A statement by FIFA also stated that like the senior men’s World Cup, the Under-17 tournament will be expanded to 48 teams.
The women’s Under-17 World Cup will also be played annually from 2025, with Morocco hosting an expanded 24-team event until 2029.
The 2022 edition had 16 teams.
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Part of the statement said, “This 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 last men’s Under-17 World Cup was held in 2023 with Germany winning their first title. Spain won the women’s edition in 2022.
Qatar hosted the 2022 senior men’s World Cup in winter while Morocco are one of the co-hosts for the 2030 edition.
FIFA also said a record $2.25 billion had been earmarked for the 2023-2026 cycle for investment in football development.
Later on, FIFA members will pick a host for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in a contest between Brazil, a co-host bid by the United States and Mexico and a European bid by neighbors Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, Associated Press reports.
