The stars of tomorrow take the stage for the 2025 FIFA men’s U-20 World Cup (27 September – 19 October).
Taking place in Chile, the global football tournament for players aged 20-years-old or younger gets underway just over 250 days before the senior men’s World Cup in 2026.
It will also be a first opportunity to see potential Olympians in the making, where men’s football at LA 2028 will feature under-23 teams.
Twenty-four nations from six football confederations will battle it out for the U-20 world title, where matches will be held across four Chilean cities: the capital Santiago, Valparaíso, Talca and Rancagua.
Stars like Olympic champion Lionel Messi and Norway’s star striker Erling Haaland are among those to have played in the U-20 World Cup, as well as FIFA World Cup winners Diego Maradona, Paul Pogba and Xavi.
Though Uruguay are the reigning champions, they failed to qualify to be able to defend their title, the first time missing out in two decades.Record champions Argentina will target a seventh title across the border, while Olympic champions Spain hope to add to their recent success in pursuit of curtailing a 26-year title drought at this stage.