The 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup kicks off on November 3 in Qatar, marking the first edition to feature an expanded field of 48 teams. Held in Doha, the tournament will run through November 27 and showcase some of the world’s best youth players. With youth squads from every continent competing, the event offers a global stage for emerging talent and sets the tone for football’s next generation.
The Most Talented U.S. U-17 Squad in Years, But Can They Finally Deliver?
The United States has qualified for 18 FIFA U-17 World Cups, more than any other CONCACAF nation. But despite that consistency, they haven’t reached the semifinals since 1999, when Landon Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley led a golden generation to fourth place.
Now, in 2025, the spotlight is on Cavan Sullivan and Mathis Albert, two of the most hyped American prospects in decades. This is one of the most stacked U.S. lineups we’ve seen at the U-17 level. It’s time to break the quarterfinal curse and deliver a deep run.
Key Players:
Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia Union) – Widely regarded as the top American prospect of his generation, Sullivan became the youngest player in MLS history to debut at 14 and has already logged first-team minutes for Philadelphia. The Manchester City–bound midfielder is the creative spark of the U.S. U-17s.
Mathis Albert (Borussia Dortmund) –A sharp, attack-minded winger in Dortmund’s academy, Albert regularly plays up with the club’s U19 side. He thrives on taking defenders on while creating chances from wide areas. With the ability to both set up teammates and finish himself, he gives the U.S. attack a direct, unpredictable edge.
Christopher Cupps (Chicago Fire FC) – A 6’1” homegrown center back, Cupps signed with Chicago Fire in 2025 and quickly earned U-17 U.S. caps. Strong in the air and composed on the ball, he anchors the American back.
Julian Hall (New York Red Bulls) – An academy product who debuted in MLS at 15, Hall has already made over 30 senior appearances for the Red Bulls. Known for his pace, finishing, and pressing ability, he adds vertical threat and energy to the U.S. attack.
Canada’s U-17s Looking to Advance
Canada has never advanced past the group stage at a FIFA U-17 World Cup. But in 2025, they arrive with a deeper, more professionalized squad than ever before, featuring players with European experience, domestic minutes, and a collective drive to change the narrative.
Key Players:
- Aidan Evans (Fulham) – A left-footed center back in Fulham’s academy, Evans has already featured in England’s U18 Premier League and brings composure and distribution quality to Canada’s back line.
- Kevin Khan (Feyenoord) – A versatile midfielder at Feyenoord, Khan has earned minutes in the Dutch U19 league and is known for his ball-winning ability paired with goal contributions for Canada’s U-17s.
- Owen Roache (CF Montréal) – A forward developed through Montréal’s academy, Roache signed a pro deal in 2025 and adds pace, directness, and finishing power to Canada’s attack.
Legacy names and family
Aldo DeNigris Jr., Lucca Vuoso, and Máximo Reyes carry famous last names, sons of former El Tri strikers Aldo DeNigris and Vicente Vuoso, and Joaquín Reyes. DeNigris Sr. scored 9 goals in 27 appearances for Mexico and was a key figure in Monterrey’s dominant run in the early 2010s. Vuoso, who netted 15 goals in 27 caps for El Tri, famously scored twice against Chile in the 2015 Copa América.
Máximo Reyes, meanwhile, is the son of Mexican international Joaquín Reyes, and he’s carving his own path with a mix of technical sharpness and attacking flair. All three are rising through the ranks, earning minutes, and showing flashes of what’s to come. Stepping into the spotlight and writing their own story, these three are ones to keep an eye on.
Revenge Tour After Penalty Heartbreak
France’s U-17s are back on a mission after falling to Germany in a heartbreaking penalty shootout in the 2023 final. This year’s squad is deeper, sharper, and loaded with top-tier academy talent. Abdoulaye Camara (Udinese) anchors the midfield with poise beyond his years, while PSG’s Hermann Diandaga and Emmanuel Mbemba bring defensive steel. In goal, Ilan Jourdren (Lens) adds composure and shot-stopping quality.
France returns with pedigree, pain, and the firepower to finish the job. They lifted the U-17 World Cup back in 2001 and have claimed three UEFA U-17 titles since, but it’s been over two decades since their last global triumph. This squad is looking to win it all again.
Africa’s Debutants: Uganda & Egypt
Uganda and Egypt have qualified for their first-ever FIFA U-17 World Cups, marking a new chapter. They join established powerhouses like Nigeria and Senegal, who continue to set the standard for African youth football.
Historically, African teams have excelled on the world stage. Nigeria leads all nations with five U-17 World Cup titles, while Ghana has claimed two. In total, African sides have won the tournament seven times, more than any other continent. With ten African nations competing in the 2025 edition, these two newcomers could turn heads in their tournament debut.
Rising Stars to Watch
- Iñigo Borgio (Leganés / Mexico) – A winger in CD Leganés’ Juvenil A side, Borgio has already caught the eye of Real Madrid scouts. Quick, direct, and confident in 1v1s, he injects creativity and end product into Mexico’s U-17 attack.
- Máximo Reyes (Santos Laguna / Mexico) – A forward rising through Santos Laguna’s academy, Reyes has been a consistent scorer at the youth level and earned his first U-17 call-ups in 2025. He adds sharp movement, finishing, and a poacher’s instinct to El Tri’s front line.
- Rafael Inojosa (Houston Dynamo / El Salvador) – A central midfielder in Houston Dynamo’s academy, Inojosa captains El Salvador’s U-17s and serves as the heartbeat of the team. Composed on the ball and strong in leadership, he’s pivotal to El Salvador’s first-ever U-17 World Cup campaign.
- Máximo Carrizo (New York City FC / USA) – Máximo made history in 2022 when he signed with NYCFC on his 14th birthday, becoming the youngest first-team signing in MLS history. Now developing with NYCFC II in MLS NEXT Pro, he’s recognized for his creativity and technical quality, marking him as one of the most intriguing midfielders in this tournament.
- Abdellah Ouazane (Ajax / Morocco) – Named Player of the Tournament at the 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, Ouazane was instrumental in Morocco’s first-ever continental title run. At just 16, he’s already playing up with Ajax’s U21s in the Dutch second tier, where his blend of composure, vision, and ball progression is shown. A true midfield orchestrator, he’s the engine of Morocco’s attack and one of the breakout stars of this World Cup.
- Emile Witbooi (Cape Town City / South Africa) – Recently listed in The Guardian’s Next Generation 60, Witbooi is the face of South Africa’s U-17s and their most exciting attacking prospect. At 16, he’s already made headlines with Cape Town City and even spent time on trial with Chelsea’s U18s. Quick, fearless, and creative, he provides goals, assists, and a constant attacking threat.
- Zé Lucas (Sport Recife / Brazil) – A defensive midfielder with maturity beyond his years, Zé Lucas captains Brazil’s U-17s and helped lead them to the 2025 South American Championship title. A relentless ball-winner with composure and passing range, he’s already been linked with a move to Barcelona, underlining his status as one of the most sought-after prospects in the tournament and the anchor of Brazil’s midfield.
- Noah Fernandez (PSV Eindhoven / Belgium) – A rising star in PSV’s system, Fernandez debuted for the senior side at just 17 and has already produced goals and assists for Belgium’s U17s at the European Championship. A midfielder with both creativity and grit, he adds versatility to Belgium’s midfield.
- Bradley Burrowes (Aston Villa / England) – A midfielder in Aston Villa’s academy, Bradley signed his first professional contract in 2025 and has already impressed in the UEFA Youth League with goals against top European opposition. Strong on the ball, tactically sharp, he’s one of the most exciting young midfielders to watch at this tournament.
As the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup kicks off, the next generation is stepping onto the global stage with more talent, structure, and ambition than ever before. We’ve seen plenty of stars first announce themselves at this tournament, players who went on to shape the game at the highest level. Now it’s time for the next wave to step forward, carrying the promise of becoming the stars of tomorrow.