Under-17 World Cup: Tough Group But India Can Sneak Into Rd of 16

After earning a direct entry into the Under-17 World Cup, India need to play their best to make a mark at the event.

Indian Under-17 football team at a training session.

(Photo: AIFF)

24 teams are participating in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup being played in India starting 8 October. The only team though to have qualified for the tournament, without playing a match, is India.

By virtue of being hosts, India booked an automatic qualifying spot for the tournament and they start their campaign on the first day of the even, the 6th of October.

Slotted in the same group as two-time former champions Ghana, Columbia and USA, India need to finish in the top two to move to the Round of 16. But seeing how tough the competition is, that is easier said than done.

However, there is another way for the hosts to fight their way into the Round of 16 - by finishing as one of the four best third-placed teams among the six groups. If India do make it through, they next reach the Round of 16 where the likely opponents would be Germany.