The stage is set for the 24th edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which begins on September 28, 2025, in Chile and runs until October 20.
Twenty-four teams from across six football confederations will battle for next three weeks for who wins the coveted trophy, with promising young talents showing their talents and skills,
This tournament has always been a showcase of the future stars of world football. Many of the great names of the sport, from Diego Maradona through Luis Figo, to Lionel Messi, made their mark on this stage. The 2025 edition promises no less, with powerhouse nations like Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Italy, and France all present.
Tournament format
The competition will follow the same structure that has been used in recent editions. The twenty-four participating nations have been drawn into six groups of four teams each. Every team will play three matches in the group stage, facing each of the others in their pool.
At the end of this stage, the top two teams from each group will automatically qualify for the round of sixteen. They will be joined by the four best third-placed teams, creating a sixteen-team knockout phase.
From that point forward, the competition will move into direct elimination rounds that include the round of sixteen, the quarter-finals, the semi-finals, the third-place playoff, and the grand final.
Group stage breakdown
In Group A, hosts Chile will be joined by New Zealand, Japan, and Egypt. Group B brings together South Korea, Ukraine, Paraguay, and Panama. Group C has one of the most eye-catching lineups, featuring Brazil, Mexico, Morocco, and Spain.
Group D also promises drama with Italy, Australia, Cuba, and Argentina fighting for spots in the next round. Group E includes the United States, New Caledonia, France, and South Africa, while Group F sees Colombia, Saudi Arabia, Norway, and Nigeria drawn together.
The group stage has already generated excitement, with Brazil and Spain set to clash in Group C and Argentina paired with Italy in Group D. These heavyweight encounters will add extra spark to the early rounds.
Host cities and venues
The tournament will be staged across four Chilean cities. Matches will take place at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos in Santiago, which will also host the final.
Other venues include the Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander in Valparaíso, the Estadio Fiscal de Talca in Talca, and the Estadio El Teniente in Rancagua. These stadiums have been prepared to welcome both fans and teams for what promises to be an exciting festival of football.
Defending champions and history
One notable absence from the tournament is Uruguay, the defending champions. They failed to qualify for this year’s event, becoming the eighth consecutive title holder to miss out on defending their crown.
This curious pattern has become a regular feature of the U-20 World Cup. Argentina enter the competition as the most successful nation in the tournament’s history, having lifted the trophy six times. They will be eager to add a seventh title to their collection and to reassert themselves as the dominant force in youth football.
Fixtures to watch
The opening day of action on September 28 will feature matches such as South Korea against Ukraine and Japan against Egypt at 1:30 in the morning Indian Standard Time, followed by Paraguay against Panama and Chile against New Zealand at 4:30 in the morning.
On September 29, football fans can look forward to Italy playing Australia and Morocco taking on Spain, both at 1:30 in the morning, while Brazil will meet Mexico and Argentina will face Cuba at 4:30 in the morning.
Other standout fixtures include France against South Africa and Norway against Nigeria on September 30. On October 2, Spain will face Mexico and Argentina will clash with Australia.
One of the most anticipated matches comes on October 5, when Spain will take on Brazil, followed on the same day by Argentina against Italy.
The knockout stages will begin on October 8 with the round of sixteen. The quarter-finals will be played on October 12 and 13, while the semi-finals are set for October 16.
The third-place playoff will take place on October 19, and the tournament will conclude with the final in Santiago on October 20 at 4:30 in the morning Indian Standard Time.
The FIFA U-20 World Cup has always been a tournament where new heroes emerge and future legends are born. With a mix of traditional football powerhouses and emerging nations, the 2025 edition in Chile promises to deliver unforgettable moments. Indian fans, despite the time difference, will have every opportunity to witness these young stars live as they aim to leave their mark on world football.
