Doha – The FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025 commenced today, November 3, 2025, in Doha, Qatar, with a series of compelling matches that set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling tournament. South Africa initiated their campaign with a decisive victory over Bolivia, while Japan showcased their prowess with a commanding win against Morocco.

The Group A encounter between South Africa and Bolivia marked the official opening of the tournament. South Africa secured a 3-1 victory, demonstrating their attacking capabilities and resilience. Emile Witbooi, Neo Bohloko, and Shaun Els were the goalscorers for the South African side, each contributing to their team’s dominant performance. Bolivia managed to score a consolation goal through Jesus Maraude, but it was not enough to mount a serious challenge against the well-organized South African team.

South Africa’s U-17 team, known as Amajimbos, entered the tournament with a blend of optimism and determination. Coached by Duncan Crowie, the team had shown promising signs in their preparatory matches, emphasizing a tactical approach centered on quick transitions and exploiting spaces in the opposition’s defense. Emile Witbooi, the opening goalscorer, has been a standout player for the team, known for his pace and clinical finishing. Neo Bohloko, a midfielder, provides the creative spark in the team, while Shaun Els adds stability and experience to the defensive line.

Bolivia, on the other hand, faced an uphill battle coming into the tournament. Their U-17 squad, under the guidance of Pablo Escobar, aimed to showcase the emerging talent from Bolivian football. Despite the loss, Jesus Maraude’s goal highlighted their potential and resilience. Bolivia’s strategy focused on a compact defensive structure and quick counter-attacks, but they struggled to contain South Africa’s attacking threat.

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Following the Group A match, the spotlight shifted to Group C, where Costa Rica faced the United Arab Emirates. The match concluded in a 1-1 draw, with both teams sharing the spoils. Adel Khamis scored for the UAE, while Bennette responded for Costa Rica, ensuring a balanced outcome.

Costa Rica’s U-17 team, Los Ticos, arrived in Qatar with a reputation for disciplined play and tactical flexibility. Head coach Erick Rodriguez emphasized the importance of teamwork and defensive solidity in their approach. Bennette, the equalizing goalscorer, is a key player for Costa Rica, known for his dribbling skills and ability to create scoring opportunities.

The United Arab Emirates, under the management of Abdulrahman Al Haddad, aimed to make a strong impression in the tournament. Adel Khamis, the goalscorer, is a promising talent in the UAE squad, known for his composure in front of goal. The UAE’s strategy revolved around a possession-based game and utilizing the flanks to create attacking opportunities.

The other Group C match between Senegal and Croatia ended in a goalless draw. Both teams displayed strong defensive performances, resulting in a stalemate. Senegal’s U-17 team, Les Lionceaux, is known for its physical strength and tactical discipline. Coach Malick Daf emphasized a defensive approach, aiming to frustrate the opposition and capitalize on counter-attacks.

Croatia’s U-17 team, under the guidance of Robert Jarni, came into the tournament with a focus on technical skill and tactical versatility. Their strategy involved a possession-based game and creating scoring opportunities through intricate passing movements. However, they struggled to break down Senegal’s resilient defense.

The final match of the day featured Japan against Morocco in Group B. Japan secured a convincing 2-0 victory, demonstrating their technical superiority and tactical organization. Taiga Seguchi and Daigo Hirashima were the goalscorers for the Japanese side, showcasing their attacking prowess.

Japan’s U-17 team, the Samurai Blue, is renowned for its technical proficiency and tactical awareness. Coached by Yoshiro Moriyama, the team emphasizes a possession-based game and quick, intricate passing movements. Taiga Seguchi, the opening goalscorer, is a key player in the Japanese squad, known for his pace and finishing ability. Daigo Hirashima adds creativity to the midfield, orchestrating the team’s attacks.

Morocco’s U-17 team, the Atlas Lions, faced a tough challenge against Japan. Under the guidance of Said Chiba, the team aimed to showcase the emerging talent from Moroccan football. Despite the loss, they displayed moments of promise and resilience. Morocco’s strategy focused on a compact defensive structure and quick counter-attacks, but they struggled to contain Japan’s attacking threat.

Japan’s victory over Morocco underscored their status as one of the favorites in the tournament. The team’s disciplined approach, technical skills, and tactical flexibility make them a formidable opponent for any team. Japan’s U-17 squad has a strong track record in international competitions, consistently performing well and producing talented players who go on to have successful careers in professional football.

The U-17 World Cup serves as a crucial platform for identifying and nurturing young talent from around the world. Many of the players participating in this tournament have the potential to become future stars of the game, representing their countries at the highest level and playing for top clubs in Europe and beyond. The tournament also provides an opportunity for emerging football nations to showcase their development and compete against established footballing powers.

The tournament format consists of eight groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stage. The knockout stage will consist of a round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final match, which will determine the champion of the U-17 World Cup 2025.

The FIFA U-17 World Cup has a rich history of producing future stars. Players such as Cesc Fàbregas, Toni Kroos, and Neymar have all participated in previous editions of the tournament, using it as a springboard to launch their professional careers. The tournament provides a unique opportunity for young players to gain international exposure, compete against their peers from around the world, and develop their skills and tactical awareness.

The U-17 World Cup 2025 promises to be a thrilling tournament, showcasing the future stars of football and providing fans with exciting matches and memorable moments. As the tournament progresses, it will be interesting to see which teams and players emerge as the frontrunners and who will ultimately lift the trophy.

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Ahmad Zein Salamo

Ahmad Zein Salamo is a dedicated football journalist at Sports News Break, covering the global game with a sharp eye for detail and passion for storytelling. With years of experience following Europe’s top leagues and international tournaments, he delivers insightful analysis, match previews, and breaking news with journalistic integrity and depth.

His reporting combines tactical understanding with a human perspective, highlighting not only the drama on the pitch but also the stories that shape the sport beyond it. From Champions League nights to grassroots football, Ahmad’s work reflects a true love for the beautiful game and a commitment to bringing readers closer to the action.

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