FIFA U17 World Cup News

The India U16 side fell short of scripting history after losing 0-1 to heavyweights South Korea U16 in the quarterfinals of AFC U16 Championship in Kuala Lumpur. 

After the match, the fans reciprocated the Brazilians' acknowledgement of their support, but they also appreciated with loud cheers when Mali threatened.

With 56432 spectators turning up at the Salt Lake Stadium to watch the Brazil versus Mali match, the total attendance of the FIFA U-17 World Cup reached 1280459. Before this match, a mere 6949 attendance was needed to break the record.

A goal feast can be expected from two of the most aggressive sides in the tournament. While England have scored 18 goals so far, Spain have 15 to their credit. England are playing in their maiden final in their fourth appearance while Spain have featured as losing finalists on three earlier occasions in 1991, 2003 and 2007. Brazil, the pre-tournament and crowd favourites, were distraught after their 1-3 loss to England in the semifinals.

With little at stake after losing in the semifinals, both sides will go all out in their bid to sign off on a winning note and this bronze medal match could turn out to be a goal fest.

AIFF has submitted India's bid to host the U-20 World Cup so that the momentum of hosting a successful U-17 World Cup is not lost and India continue to remain engaged at the global stage.

"India is a football country now," FIFA president Giani Infantino declared after arriving here to chair the FIFA Council meeting on Friday and attend the U-17 World Cup final.

The final attendance at the Saltlake Stadium, Kolkata, is all set to be a full house of 66,687 with all the tickets sold out well in advance.

By virtue of this win, Spain has entered the final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the fourth time and their first apperance in the title clash 2007.

England had five shot on target while Brazil had nine but the South American champions were uncharacteristically wayward and showed shyness before the goal at the Salt Lake Stadium.

Technical flaws on the official FIFA website and long online queues kept football fans in Kolkata without tickets for the Under-17 World Cup semifinal between Brazil and England, according to a report in The Indian Expres.

Odds-on favourites Brazil and England will look to brush aside last-minute logistical alterations and outsmart one another in a crunch semi-final clash here at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Wednesday.

A battle of contrasting styles of football will be on view when classical Spain cross swords with robust Mali in the semifinal of the FIFA U-17 World Cup here on Wednesday.

The Brazilians have a huge support base in the region since the legendary Pele mesmerised the city during the Cosmos tour of 1977.

Spain will be brimming with confidence after prevailing over another European heavyweight France, the dazzling array of talents giving coach Santiago Denia plenty of options.

The result meant it was a repeat of the U-17 African Cup of Nations final where Mali beat Ghana.

On Saturday, Mali take on Ghana while USA play England. Sunday will have Spain-Iran and Germany-Brazil matchups.

The quarterfinal matches will be played on October 21 and 22 across four venues in the country.

Ghana had been beaten 1-0 by Mali in the final of the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations, and they would be determined to avenge that loss. While Ghana topped their group with two wins, Mali stood second in Group C with an equal number of victories.

The United States of America's best effort remains a fourth-place finish in the 1999 edition. England made their FIFA U-17 World Cup debut a decade ago, with India 2017 being the Young Lions' fourth outing on the global stage at this age level.