Qatar is hosting another FIFA tournament. The FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 takes place in Qatar later this year — and the official group stage draw has been confirmed by FIFA’s official account. This is the next generation of world football’s greatest stars preparing to write their first chapter on the global stage.
The tournament features 48 teams across 12 groups — and for Arab football fans, the draw contains extraordinary storylines. Qatar and Egypt are both in the group stage. Algeria is also confirmed. Three Arab nations competing in an FIFA youth tournament hosted on Arab soil.
Here is the complete group draw, every team confirmed and what it all means.
FIFA U17 World Cup Qatar 2026 — Key Facts
Host nation: Qatar
Teams: 48 nations
Format: 12 groups of 4 teams
Significance: World Cup for players born 2009 and later — tomorrow’s superstars today
The Complete Group Stage Draw — All 12 Groups
Group A
🇶🇦 Qatar (hosts) · 🇵🇦 Panama · 🇪🇬 Egypt · 🇬🇷 Greece
Group B
🇰🇷 Korea Republic · CAF 1 · 🇳🇨 New Caledonia · 🇪🇨 Ecuador
Group C
🇦🇷 Argentina · 🇦🇺 Australia · CAF 2 · 🇩🇰 Denmark
Group D
🇫🇷 France · 🇭🇹 Haiti · 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia · 🇺🇾 Uruguay
Group E
🇮🇹 Italy · 🇯🇲 Jamaica · 🇨🇮 Côte d’Ivoire · 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan
Group F
🇸🇳 Senegal · 🇭🇷 Croatia · 🇨🇺 Cuba · 🇹🇯 Tajikistan
Group G
🇲🇱 Mali · 🇳🇿 New Zealand · 🇧🇪 Belgium · 🇻🇳 Vietnam
Group H
🇪🇸 Spain · 🇨🇳 China PR · 🇫🇯 Fiji · 🇲🇦 Morocco
Group I
🇧🇷 Brazil · 🇮🇪 Republic of Ireland · 🇹🇿 Tanzania · 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Group J
🇺🇸 USA · 🇲🇪 Montenegro · 🇨🇱 Chile · 🇩🇿 Algeria
Group K
🇲🇽 Mexico · 🇷🇴 Romania · 🇨🇲 Cameroon · 🇻🇪 Venezuela
Group L
🇯🇵 Japan · 🇨🇴 Colombia · 🇷🇸 Serbia · 🇭🇳 Honduras
The Arab Nations — A Historic U17 World Cup on Arab Soil
For the first time in FIFA U17 World Cup history, the tournament is hosted by Qatar — and Arab nations are represented across multiple groups. Here is what each Arab team faces:
Qatar (Group A) — The hosts face Panama, Egypt and Greece. A Qatar vs Egypt group stage match at a youth World Cup on Arab soil is genuinely extraordinary. Both Arab nations in the same group, playing for a home crowd in Qatar.
Egypt (Group A) — Egypt face Qatar, Panama and Greece. The Arab derby against Qatar in Group A will be one of the most watched youth football matches in Arab history.
Saudi Arabia (Group D) — Saudi Arabia face France, Haiti and Uruguay. A tough group with France present but Saudi Arabia’s youth programme has improved significantly in recent years.
Morocco (Group H) — Morocco face Spain, China PR and Fiji. Morocco’s youth teams have been exceptional in recent years following their senior team’s 2022 World Cup semi-final success. Group H gives them a realistic path to the knockout rounds.
Algeria (Group J) — Algeria face the USA, Montenegro and Chile. A winnable group for Algeria’s talented youth generation.
Why This Tournament Matters — The Next Generation
The FIFA U17 World Cup is where football’s future superstars first announce themselves. Players who competed in previous U17 World Cups include Kylian Mbappé (2015), Ansu Fati, Pedri and Gavi (Spain’s golden generation) and numerous other current senior internationals.
For Arab football — a tournament hosted in Qatar featuring Qatar, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria and Saudi Arabia represents an unprecedented opportunity. The next Mohamed Salah, the next Achraf Hakimi, the next Riyad Mahrez could emerge from this tournament playing on home soil in Qatar.
The talent pipeline from Arab football nations has been growing steadily. Morocco’s youth development since 2022 has been particularly impressive. Qatar’s Aspire Academy — one of the world’s most respected football development institutions — will provide a home advantage for the host nation’s youth team.
Key Matches to Watch
Qatar vs Egypt (Group A) — The Arab derby. Two neighbouring nations competing at a youth World Cup on Qatari soil. The atmosphere will be unlike anything either nation’s youth team has experienced before.
Morocco vs Spain (Group H) — Echoes of the 2022 senior team’s historic victory over Spain. Can Morocco’s youth team replicate that magic against Spain’s technically gifted Under-17 generation?
Saudi Arabia vs France (Group D) — Another echo of the senior team’s famous 2022 shock victory. Saudi Arabia’s youth programme will relish the opportunity to face France’s celebrated youth system.
Brazil vs Republic of Ireland (Group I) — Brazil are always the team to watch at youth level. Their technical development and individual brilliance at youth football is unmatched globally.
Frequently Asked Questions About FIFA U17 World Cup 2026
Where is the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026?
The FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 is hosted by Qatar — making it the second major FIFA tournament to be hosted in Qatar following the senior men’s World Cup in 2022.
Which Arab teams are in the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026?
Five Arab nations are confirmed: Qatar (hosts, Group A), Egypt (Group A), Saudi Arabia (Group D), Morocco (Group H) and Algeria (Group J). Qatar and Egypt are in the same group — creating a historic Arab derby match.
When is the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026?
The exact dates of the FIFA U17 World Cup Qatar 2026 have not yet been officially confirmed. The tournament will take place in Qatar in 2026 following the completion of the senior men’s World Cup in North America which runs June 11 to July 19, 2026.
How many teams are in the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026?
The FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 features 48 teams across 12 groups of 4 teams each — the same expanded format as the senior men’s World Cup 2026.
Is Qatar in the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026?
Yes. Qatar automatically qualify as host nation and are placed in Group A alongside Egypt, Panama and Greece. Qatar vs Egypt in Group A will be the tournament’s most anticipated Arab derby match.
Conclusion
The FIFA U17 World Cup Qatar 2026 is the next chapter in Arab football’s extraordinary growth story. Five Arab nations. One Arab host. Tomorrow’s superstars today. The group draw is set. The journey begins.
Read our senior World Cup guide: 8 Arab Teams at World Cup 2026 — Complete Guide
Which Arab team do you think will go furthest at the U17 World Cup in Qatar? Tell us in the comments