FIFA U-17 World Cup

International youth football tournament.

The FIFA U-17 World Cup, established in 1985 as the FIFA U-16 World Championship, is an international tournament for male football players under the age of 17, organized by FIFA. The tournament was rebranded to its current name in 2007 and has been held every two years since its inception. Germany is the current champion, having won its first title at the 2023 tournament.

Inspired by the Lion City Cup in Singapore, which was the first under-16 football tournament, FIFA created the U-16 World Championship following a recommendation from then-secretary-general Sepp Blatter. The inaugural tournament took place in China, and it has grown significantly over the years. Initially featuring 16 teams, the tournament expanded to 24 teams in 2007, divided into six groups of four. The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, advance to the knockout stage.

The structure of the tournament includes a group phase followed by knockout rounds, culminating in a final that determines the champion. From 2011 onwards, knockout matches that end in a tie after regulation time go directly to penalty shootouts, eliminating extra time to reduce player fatigue. Starting in 2025, the tournament will adopt an annual format with 48 teams divided into four mini-tournaments of 12 teams each.

Nigeria holds the record as the most successful team in U-17 World Cup history with five titles, followed by Brazil with four. Other notable winners include Ghana and Mexico, each with two titles. The tournament has also seen significant attendance figures, with the 2017 edition in India being the most attended, drawing over 1.3 million spectators.