Qatar secures hosting rights for expanded FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026
By Nawaz Gohar ; Qatar has once again been selected to host a major global football event. The nation is set to host the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026, scheduled to take place in November and December.
According to international reports, this tournament will serve as a premier platform for young football talent to showcase their skills on the world stage.
The tournament is slated to commence on November 19 and will conclude on December 13, 2026, featuring a record 48 teams from across the globe.
This event is part of FIFA’s new annual framework, under which the U-17 World Cup is now held every year. Previously, the tournament was played biennially (every two years).
Furthermore, in a significant expansion of the competition, the number of participating teams has been increased from 24 to 48.
It is worth noting that Portugal claimed the title in the inaugural annual edition held in 2025. All eyes will now be on the emerging teams and rising stars who will compete in the highly anticipated 2026 edition in Qatar
