The FIFA U-20 World Cup, formerly called the FIFA World Youth Championship, is a biennial football tournament between 24 FIFA-recognized national teams with players under 20. It has been held every two years since its inception in 1977, hosted by Tunisia and won by the Soviet Union.
The tournament remained the FIFA World Youth Championship until the 2005 edition, with the name change to the FIFA U-20 World Cup valid from the 2007 edition.
It's too easy for @ErlingHaaland 🇳🇴#U20WC pic.twitter.com/0FzuiV942t
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) May 9, 2023
FIFA, the apex body for world football, labelled this competition “The Tournament of Tomorrow’s Superstars”. They're right, as top Super Eagles and international players like Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Andre Ayew, Paul Pogba, Oscar, Casemiro, Erling Haaland, etc., made their name through the U20 teams.
Argentina is the most successful nation in the FIFA World Cup, winning it six times. Ukraine holds the crown currently, winning the tournament in 2019.
The 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup
The 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup will be the 23rd edition of the competition. Argentina will host the tournament, beginning Saturday, 20th May and ending Sunday, 11th June 2023.
𝐀𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚, the national team with the most U-20 World Cup trophies 🏆
⭐ 1979
⭐ 1995
⭐ 1997
⭐ 2001
⭐ 2005
⭐ 2007 #ArgentinaNT #U20WC pic.twitter.com/mNai1h4yb5— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) May 9, 2023
Four Argentine cities—La Plata, Mendoza, San Juan, and Santiago del Estero—will host the FIFA World Cup matches. The showpiece will kick-start with four skirmishes on the opening day in San Juan and Santiago del Estero.
Argentina, the host, will begin their campaign on 20th May against Uzbekistan on the opening day. The South American nation will be grateful to get a place in the FIFA World Cup as they originally didn't qualify for it. They were handed a place after Indonesia were stripped of their hosting rights.
Indonesia Stripped of the Hosting Rights
Issues started when widespread opposition in Indonesia took place over the participation of Israel in the tournament. Indonesia, a primary Muslim-majority country, took exception to Israel's participation because of its policy towards Palestine. Both countries do not have formal diplomatic relations.
The Participating Nations
Bosso wants to win the FIFA U20 World Cup with Nigeria. pic.twitter.com/KkO3Zta2Vt
— Sports Radio Brila FM (@Brilafm889) May 8, 2023
The 24 nations that qualified for the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup are Argentina (hosts), Uzbekistan, Guatemala, New Zealand, USA, Ecuador, Fiji, Slovakia; Senegal, Japan, Israel, Colombia, Italy, Brazil, Nigeria, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Iraq, England, Tunisia, France, Republic of Korea, Gambia, and Honduras.
FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023 Groups
VIDEO: Flying Eagles Arrive In Argentina Ahead U-20 World Cup
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have arrived in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, for a 10-day camping programme ahead of this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals.
This was made known in a video shared on the Nigeria… pic.twitter.com/k8lBSK7nfL
— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) May 8, 2023
The 24 participating nations are drawn into six Groups of four countries each. The top two teams from each of the six groups will advance to the last 16, along with the four best third-placed teams.
Here are the groups:
Group A
Argentina
Guatemala
New Zealand
Uzbekistan
Group B
Ecuador
Fiji
Slovakia
USA
Group C
Colombia
Israel
Japan
Senegal
Group D
Brazil
Dominican Republic
Italy
Nigeria
Group E
England
Iraq
Tunisia
Uruguay
Group F
France
Gambia
Honduras
South Korea
Frequently Asked Questions About the FIFA U-20 World Cup
Which country won the first edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup?
The Soviet Union won the first edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 1977.
Which country won the last edition?
Ukraine won the last edition in 2019.
Has any African country won the FIFA U-20 World Cup?
Yes. Ghana won the 2009 edition in Egypt.
Who was the top scorer in the last edition?
Manchester City starlet Erling Haaland was the top scorer in the last edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup with nine goals.
Who is a player to watch out for in the FIFA U-20 World Cup?
Keep an eye on Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United, playing for Argentina.
This article was most recently revised and updated 2 years ago
