Brazil has an impressive track record in the U17 World Cup, having secured the championship title a remarkable four times. Their journey in the upcoming tournament is poised to be riveting, with an eagerly anticipated clash against England.
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Group C of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023™ has been unveiled, and it promises to be a group of fierce competition. Brazil will contend with formidable opponents, including Iran, New Caledonia, and England. Let’s examine Brazil’s opponents for the upcoming matches.
Brazil
Brazil’s standing in the world of football is noteworthy, currently holding the esteemed 3rd position in the FIFA rankings. They have a rich history of participating in the U17 World Cup, with 18 editions to their name, but their standout performances occurred in 1997, 1999, 2003, and 2019 when they clinched the championship title an impressive four times.
One of the pathways to the U17 World Cup is determined by the regulations of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL). These rules dictate that the top four teams from the South American Under-17 Football Championship secure their spot in the World Cup. Brazil’s triumphant journey in 2023 saw them emerge as champions.
Brazil’s performance in the CONMEBOL South American Under-17 Football Championship in 2023:
First phase
- Ecuador 2 – 2 Brazil
Ecuador goals: Reyes and De Jesús, Brazil goals: Kauã Elias (twice)
- Brazil 3 – 0 Chile
Brazil goals: Kauã Elias (twice) and João Pedro
- Brazil 3 – 1 Colombia
Brazil goals: Dudu, Riquelme Fillipi and Rayan Colombia goals: López
- Uruguay 0 – 3 Brazil
Brazil goals: Rayan, Lorran and Matheus Reis
Final phase
- Brazil 2 – 1 Venezuela
Brazil goals: João Pedro and Dudu, Venezuela goals: Arango
- Brazil 3 – 2 Paraguay
Brazil goals: Gómez (own goal), Rayan and Luiz Gustavo, Paraguay goals: Riveros and Aguayo
- Ecuador 2 – 2 Brazil
Ecuador goals: Arroyo (twice), Brazil goals: Collahuazo (own goal) and Kauã Elias
- Chile 0 – 3 Brazil
Brazil goals: Rayan (twice) and Ricardo
- Brazil 3 x 2 Argentina
Brazil goals: Riquelme Fillipi, Dudu and João Pedro, Argentina goals: Giménez and Echeverri
Iran
In the 2017 U17 World Cup, Iran made waves with a remarkable campaign in Group C. They achieved an impeccable record, winning all three group stage matches against Germany, Guinea and Costa Rica. But their journey was halted in the quarterfinals with a defeat against Spain.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) lays down the framework for qualification to the U-17 World Cup. According to these regulations, the top four teams from the U-17 Asian Cup earn their ticket to the World Cup.
In 2023, Iran reached the semifinals but faced a formidable challenge in Japan, who ultimately secured the championship.
AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023 results:
Group stage
- Iran 6 – 1 Afghanistan
Goals for Iran: Nafari, Gholizadeh (twice), Taheri (twice) and Ghandipour, Goal for Afghanistan: Niazi
- Qatar 0 – 0 Iran
No goals
- South Korea 0 – 2 Iran
Iran goals: Andarz and Sadeghi
- Iran 0 (4) – (2) 0 Yemen No goals
Iran penalties: Correct : Aali, Nafari, Gholizadeh and Andarz | Lost: Askari, Yemen Penalties: Correct : Al Turaiqi and Radman | Lost: Al Salami and Al Khadher
- Iran 0 – 3 Japan
Japan goals: Yada, Mochizuki and Sato
England
Shifting our focus to England, the team holds an impressive 4th position in the FIFA rankings. Their most noteworthy U17 World Cup triumph took place in 2017, a tournament that saw them navigate through a thrilling knockout stage with victories over Japan, the United States, Brazil, and Spain.
Phil Foden earned the title of the tournament’s best player, while Rhian Brewster claimed the top scorer’s accolade.
Within UEFA, regulations dictate that the top five teams from the U17 European Championship earn their spot in the World Cup. England successfully secured their place through a playoff victory against Switzerland, following their elimination by France in the quarterfinals.
Results at the 2023 UEFA European Under-17 Championship:
Group stage
- Croatia 0 – 1 England
England goal: Nwaneri
- Netherlands 1 – 4 England
Netherlands goal: Hartog, England goals: Lewis-Skelly, Dada-Mascoll (twice) and Oboavwoduo
- England 0 – 0 Switzerland
No goals
- England 0 – 1 France
France goal: Lambourde
- England 4 – 2 Switzerland
England goals: Gray, Lovelace, Golding and Young, Switzerland goals: Rufener and Xhemalija
New Caledonia
In 2023, New Caledonia made its debut at the U17 World Cup. Their performance was humble, finishing last in Group E. They faced tough losses to France (7-1) and Honduras (5-0) but managed a 1-1 draw with Japan.
To qualify for the World Cup, the OFC rules required the top two teams from the U17 Football Championship to succeed. This championship took place from January 11 to 28, 2023, in Fiji. The teams that made it through were New Caledonia and New Zealand.
In the competition, New Caledonia secured second place in Group B with one win and one loss, with their only loss being to New Zealand. They defeated Samoa in the quarterfinals and Tahiti in the semi-finals but ultimately lost to New Zealand in the final, who became the champions.
Results at the 2023 OFC Under-17 Football Championship:
Group stage
- New Zealand 3 – 2 New Caledonia
New Zealand goals: Supyk (three times), New Caledonia goals: Nganyane and Hnaissilin
- New Caledonia 7 – 0 American Samoa
Goals for New Caledonia: Alebate, Levy, Ue, Cahma, Saiko and Qaeze (twice)
- New Caledonia 4 – 0 Samoa
Goals for New Caledonia: Angexetine, Alebate, Saiko e Hmuine
- New Caledonia 1 (3) – (2) 1 Tahiti
New Caledonia Goal: Alebate, Tahiti Goal: Guillemant,
New Caledonia Penalties: Correct : Alebate, Diko and Saiko | Lost: Hanye Tahiti Penalties: Correct : Guillemant and Cuneo | Lost: Cadousteau, Tamarii and Teuira
New Caledonia 0 – 1 New Zealand
New Zealand goal: Bruce
The tournament is scheduled to run from November 10 to December 2 in the captivating backdrop of Indonesia.
