Latest news with #FIFAU17WorldCup
CAF
05-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Morocco - Zambia: Crossing Shots, Shared Visions
There is nothing to separate them. Morocco and Zambia, the rising stars of African Women's Football, kickoff the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 this Saturday at the Stade Olympique in Rabat, at 8:00 p.m. local time. Between shared ambition and extraordinary memories, this much-anticipated fixture sounds as much a revenge platform as it does a declaration of intent. Two Parallel Paths Their progress follows an almost symmetrical tempo. Semi-finalists at the WAFCON 2022, World Cup participants the following year, the two teams embody this new generation that is shaking up the established order. On paper, nothing really separates them. On the pitch, however, recent history has left its mark. Zambia: From the Shadows to the Light 10 years ago, the Copper Queens played almost anonymously. Today, they arrive in Morocco with a strong and bold team, driven by a golden generation. Barbra Banda, Grace Chanda and Ireen Lungu, who emerged at the FIFA U17 World Cup 2014 in Costa Rica, laid the foundations. But it is 25-year-old Racheal Kundananji who embodies the shift into a new era: her world record-breaking transfer to Bay FC for €735,000 has made a lasting impression. "We are both witnesses and agents of change. There is a real new perspective around Zambia, in Africa. It is a source of pride, but also a great responsibility," she explains. At the helm of this ambitious team, Nora Häuptle is new to the WAFCON after a successful experience in Ghana. The Swiss tactician wants to establish an ambitious style. "It is an honour to lead this team full of potential. My goal is to create an environment where players can express themselves freely while developing a strong and cohesive playing identity." Morocco: A Host's Revenge At home, Morocco begin their WAFCON with a status to defend. Finalists in the last edition, the Atlas Lionesses want to improve. And above all, to recover from the trauma of their Paris 2024 Olympics elimination. Last April, they were eliminated by... Zambia. Beaten 2-1 in the first leg, the Copper Queens won 2-0 in Rabat, snatching their ticket to the Games. The defeat is still raw. "This defeat hurt us a lot, especially because it happened on our home turf, in front of our home crowd. But it made us grow. We learned to stay clear-headed, to not let our guard down. This opening match is our way of turning the page and writing a new chapter," sighs Ghizlane Chebbak, the iconic captain and Best Player of the WAFCON 2022. "We want to offer something great to our fans. Winning here, at home, would be more than an achievement. It would be an act of faith." To guide this ambition, the federation has entrusted the reins to Jorge Vilda, recently crowned World Champion with Spain. "Playing a WAFCON at home is enormous pressure. My role is to transform this pressure into energy. We want the Moroccan fans to be proud of a team that is committed, liberated, and true to its values," explains the Spanish coach. The weight of memories, the urgency of the present "It is true that by now, we know each other well," acknowledges Chebbak. And this alone adds spice to a confrontation already laden with symbolism. This Morocco-Zambia match is not just an opening fixture; it is a test of ambition, character and maturity. On the Zambian side, suspicion reigns. This game is unprecedented in the WAFCON, but recent history lends further depth to this encounter. "We have enormous respect for this Moroccan team, which is playing on home soil, making them a formidable opponent," notes Häuptle. "But we have our own ambitions. Every match of this WAFCON will be a battle. Our Olympic qualification is not the end; it is a foundation on which to build. We want to show that Zambia is here to stay." Between a Moroccan team driven by the need to excel at home, and a Zambian team driven by a desire to conquer, the duel promises to be an electric start to the tournament. Two visions, two identities, one certainty: this first clash will leave no one indifferent.
RNZ News
05-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Samoa, Oceania teams in tough World Cup pools
The winning Samoa under-16 women's soccer team that has qualified for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2025. Photo: OFC/Phototek Photo: Oceania football will feature in three junior World Cup football events being held this year. Draws held over the last week have also revealed the Oceania teams will not have easy runs at their respective events, with the best of the world in the different age-groups coming together to compete. In women's football, Samoa will compete for the first time in any FIFA World Cup, having qualified for the Under-17 Women's World Cup in Rabat, Morocco. The side finished second to New Zealand at the Oceania Under-16 qualifiers, and won the right to play amongst and against the world's best. The Samoans have been drawn in group D alongside Canada, France, and Nigeria. Oceania Football said it is an exciting and challenging assignment for the Pacific Island nation in their debut appearance on the world stage. Oceania winners New Zealand have been drawn in group F and will play Japan, Paraguay, and Zambia. The draw, held at the Mohammed VI Football Academy, revealed the group-stage matchups for the 24 qualified nations taking part in the tournament, which will run from 17 October to 8 November in the Moroccan capital. OFC said this year's edition of the tournament marks the first time the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup will feature 24 teams, up from 16, and it is also the first-ever FIFA women's tournament to be held on African soil. FIFA chief women's football officer, Sarai Bareman, who has Samoan roots and once captained the Samoa national women's team, featured in the draw ceremony. The tournament now presents an unprecedented opportunity for the young Samoan squad to represent their country, region, and culture on the global stage. The Samoa team were in Dallas, USA in April and competed at the Dallas Cup event, becoming the first-ever Pacific Island team to reach the semi-finals at the tournament. Head coach Juan Chang Urrea told the Samoa Observer then that taking part at the Dallas Cup was part of their preparation for the Under-17 World Cup. "This level of preparation is unheard of in the Pacific Islands," Chang Urrea told the newspaper. "We are all working together in the federation to give our team the best preparation possible to make our country and the Oceania region proud at the World Cup." They are scheduled for another camp in the States this June, with more warm up matches planned, before they move to Morocco. New Caledonia and New Zealand will feature in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Chile. OFC champions New Zealand will face hosts Chile, Japan and Egypt in group A. New Caledonia, also making their tournament debut, is pitted against USA, France and South Africa in group E. The tournament will be staged from 27 September to 19 October, across four host cities: Santiago, Valparaíso, Rancagua and Talca. This year's FIFA Under-20 World Cup will be the 24th edition of the tournament and will feature 52 matches. Photo: RNZ Pacific/Kelvin Anthony Fiji, New Caledonia and New Zealand are all in the FIFA under-17 men's World Cup, to be played in Qatar in November. OFC champions New Zealand have been drawn in group L alongside Mali, Austria, and Saudi Arabia. Martin Bullock's side defeated Fiji in the final of the OFC under-16 Men's Championship in Tahiti last year. Fiji, coached by Sunil Kumar, has been handed a difficult draw, which see them pitted against South American powerhouse Argentina, European giants Belgium and north African side Tunisia in group D. New Caledonia, who finished third at the Oceania qualifiers, are in group B, alongside Asian giants Japan, Morocco and European starlets Portugal. OFC said the tournament has been expanded to 48 teams with 12 groups of four. The top two teams in each group, along with the eight best third-placed sides, will qualify for the round of 32. From the round of 32 onwards, the tournament will be played in a knockout format. The tournament runs from 3-27 November.
Boston Globe
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Revolution defender Peyton Miller called into US under-20 national team
A Unionville, Conn. native, Miller made his first appearance for the U20 team in a friendly at Chile on Oct. 12, 2024, and tallied his first goal against the South Korea U20 squad on Nov. 16, 2024. Miller's previous international experience includes a spot on the US roster for the 2023 FIFA U17 World Cup in Indonesia, starting in two of his four appearances in tournament play. The defender also previously saw action for the United States at both the U16 and U15 levels. Advertisement The Revolution Academy product has started in nine of his 10 appearances during the 2025 MLS season, and New England is 5-1-4 in those contests. Miller and the Revolution defense have allowed 14 goals this season, tied for the second fewest in MLS. Miller is one of three Revolution players representing their national teams next week, along with midfielder Allan Oyirwoth (Uganda) and forward/winger Advertisement
Morocco World
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Morocco U17s Set for Canada and Japan Tests in Spain
Morocco's under-17 side will take on Canada and Japan in two friendly matches next week as part of preparations for the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar later this year. The Atlas Cubs face Canada on Tuesday, June 3 at 4 p.m. (Moroccan time), before meeting Japan three days later on Friday, June 6 at 12:30 p.m. Both fixtures will be held in Alicante, Spain. The friendlies are part of the national team's build-up to the World Cup, which runs from 3 to 27 November. Morocco were drawn in Group B alongside Japan, New Caledonia and Portugal. Speaking at a conference in Marrakech on Wednesday, head coach Nabil Baha said Morocco's co-hosting of the 2030 World Cup was an opportunity to unite the country and inspire a winning mentality. 'Hosting the tournament alongside Spain and Portugal is a chance to celebrate our culture and push for more success,' Baha said. He also pointed to recent progress at the youth level, including the U-17s' AFCON performance, the U-20s' World Cup qualification, and the U-23s' place at the Paris Olympics. 'Morocco now enters every competition to win,' Baha added. 'Our aim is clear – to fly the Moroccan flag high on every world stage.' Tags: Moroccou17 afconU17 world cup
Emirates 24/7
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Emirates 24/7
UAE placed in Group C of FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025
The draw for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025, scheduled to take place from November 3 to 27, 2025, has placed the UAE in Group C, alongside Senegal, Croatia, and Costa Rica. The draw has thrown up a host of fascinating contests. The draw took place in Doha on Sunday, 25 May, with the help of assistants Julian Draxler, who won the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ with Germany, and former Qatar U-17 player Abdulaziz Al Sulaiti. The newly-expanded tournament will feature 48 nations for the first time. They were drawn into 12 groups of four teams. Mouthwatering match-ups include a blockbuster battle between Belgium and Argentina, hosts Qatar facing Italy, and defending champions Germany taking on Colombia. Group distribution for the 12 groups runs as follows: -Group A: Qatar, Italy, South Africa, Bolivia -Group B: Japan, Morocco, New Caledonia, Portugal -Group C: UAE, Senegal, Croatia, Costa Rica -Group D: Argentina, Belgium, Tunisia, Fiji -Group E: England, Venezuela, Haiti, Egypt -Group F: Mexico, South Korea, Ivory Coast, Switzerland -Group G: Germany, Colombia, North Korea, El Salvador -Group H: Brazil, Honduras, Indonesia, Zambia -Group I: USA, Burkina Faso, Tajikistan, Czech Republic -Group J: Paraguay, Uzbekistan, Panama, Ireland -Group K: France, Chile, Canada, Uganda -Group L: Mali, New Zealand, Austria, Saudi Arabia Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
