FIFA U-17: Uzbekistan's youth team advances to the World Cup in Qatar

Today in Qatar, the FIFA U-17 World Cup officially kicked off, reported FIFA. The Uzbekistan U-17 national team is participating as the champion of Asia.

This is the fourth appearance of Uzbekistan’s U-17 team at the World Cup. Previously, the team reached the quarterfinals in 2011 and 2023, and ended its run in the Round of 16 in 2013.

Under the leadership of Islombek Ismoilov, the Uzbek juniors will compete in Group “J” against Paraguay, Ireland, and Panama. The first match will take place on November 5 against Paraguay, a strong and experienced team that reached the quarterfinals in 1999 and 2019.

On November 8, Uzbekistan will face Ireland — this will be Ireland’s first-ever participation in a World Cup in this age category.

The final group match is scheduled for November 11, where Uzbekistan will meet Panama. Panama’s best result in the U-17 World Cup came in 2011, when the team advanced to the Round of 16.

Fans are expecting new victories and historic achievements from the national team.