DOHA. Fifa president Gianni Infantino says expanding the U17 World Cup and staging it annually will give more young footballers opportunities to compete internationally.
Speaking during an inspection in Doha ahead of the November 19 kick-off, Infantino explained the thinking behind increasing the tournament from 24 to 48 teams.
“I think it’s exactly one of the objectives that we had put ourselves when we decided to increase the number of participants for the U17 World Cup from 24 to 48 and to move from playing a tournament every two years to playing a tournament every year,” he said.
“Of course, you have to qualify, but the fact that we play every year, the fact that we increased the number of participations, gives always the opportunity for new teams to come and experience a U17 World Cup.”
Infantino said the benefits for players making their first appearance extend beyond their performances on the pitch.
“For these boys from these countries who play for the first time in a U17 World Cup, it is a special experience which will make them grow from a football perspective, but also from a personal, human perspective.”
‘Opportunities to dream’
Infantino pointed to the absence of last year’s winners Portugal and the presence of debutants when discussing the tournament’s unpredictability.
“The fact that Portugal is not here this year, the fact that there are so many debutants, the fact that it’s completely unpredictable to foresee who will be there at the end, who will be winning this U17 World Cup, shows that there is talent everywhere,” he said.
“Football belongs to everyone, everywhere. And our job at Fifa is to make sure that we create opportunities for all these boys and all these girls from all over the world: opportunities to dream, opportunities to hope, opportunities to play.”
He added: “Talent is born everywhere, but it’s up to us to make it grow and shine.”
Infantino also emphasised the value of facing unfamiliar opponents and experiencing different approaches to football.
“It is fundamental for their growth to be exposed to teams that have a different football culture, who have a different football experience,” he said.
“We need more events, more competitions, at a higher level, so that the talents that exist everywhere can compete at the higher level and become better and better.”
His message to the players combined the ambition to win with a reminder to enjoy the occasion.
“It’s a World Cup, of course, and the objective is always to win the World Cup. But more fundamentally than that, is to have fun, to enjoy,” he said.
“Be respectful to the referees, be respectful to your opponents, to your teammates, of course. But most importantly, have fun and enjoy and make us enjoy this U17 World Cup, as well.”
The 48-team competition begins in Qatar on November 19, with matches staged across the Aspire Zone complex.