Doha, October 25 (QNA) - Captain of Qatar's U-17 national football team during the 1991 FIFA U-17 World Cup Jassim Al Tamimi emphasized the importance of the tournament as a global platform for discovering and showcasing emerging football talent.

With the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 fast approaching, attention turns to the State of Qatar, which will host the prestigious youth tournament for the first time. A total of 48 national teams from around the world will compete for the coveted title from November 3 to 27.

As anticipation builds and Qatar's U-17 team prepares for its eighth appearance in the tournament, a new generation of players aims to raise the Qatari flag on the global stage. The host nation hopes to surpass its historic achievement in the 1991 edition held in Italy, where Qatar finished fourth, becoming the first Qatari youth team to reach the third-place playoff.

Speaking to the tournament's Local Organizing Committee, Al Tamimi said that participating in the FIFA U-17 World Cup will be an unforgettable experience for Qatar's young players, creating memories that will last a lifetime, just like the journey he shared with his teammates in 1991. It is a great honor for any player to represent their country.

He added that hosting major tournaments like the World Cup provides a launchpad for rising stars and future icons. Qatar has outpaced many advanced footballing nations in terms of modern sports infrastructure and exceptional organizational capabilities, offering their youth a fertile environment to achieve excellence and elevate the national team's global standing.

Al Tamimi reflected on the achievement of the 1991 squad and the significance of their participation, which marked a turning point in the careers of many young players and created lasting memories.

Recalling the start of his football journey, Al Tamimi said he began playing with peers in his neighborhood like any young Qatari. His later selection to join the national U-17 team for the 1991 World Cup was a dream come true.

In the 1991 edition, Qatar was drawn into Group B alongside Australia, Congo, and Mexico. After a goalless draw with Congo and a narrow defeat to Mexico, Al Tamimi led the team to a group-stage victory by scoring the winning goal against Australia in the 76th minute.

Qatar continued its successful run by defeating the United States in the quarterfinals before falling to Ghana, who went on to win the tournament, in a penalty shootout. Despite losing to Argentina in the third-place match, Qatar's fourth-place finish was a historic milestone.

Al Tamimi, who later played for Qatar's senior national team from 1996 to 2004 and earned 100 international caps, said they became the first Qatari youth team to reach that stage. It was a tremendous achievement that filled them with indescribable joy, and celebrations swept across Qatar. That moment marked the beginning of his football career.

The draw for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 placed Qatar in Group A alongside Italy, South Africa, and Bolivia. The team will begin its campaign against Italy on November 3.

All 104 matches will be held at the Aspire Zone competition complex, with eight matches played daily throughout the tournament stages. The final will take place at Khalifa International Stadium on November 27.

Tickets are available via the official website: www.roadtoqatar.qa, with daily categories allowing fans to attend multiple matches per day and enjoy a vibrant fan zone featuring cultural and entertainment activities.

Premium tickets are also available for high-demand matches, and Support Your Team tickets are offered for fans of Qatar's U-17 team during the group stage.

All tickets are digital and include designated seating options for fans with disabilities.

The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 marks the first of five consecutive editions to be hosted by Qatar. As the first U-17 World Cup to feature 48 teams, this will be the largest edition in the tournament's history, which has previously spotlighted global stars such as Gianluigi Buffon, Luis Figo, Xavi Hernandez, Eden Hazard, Andres Iniesta, Neymar, Ronaldinho, Son Heung-min, and Francesco Totti.

The tournament also signals the start of a packed season of global competitions in Qatar, with the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 scheduled from December 1 to 18, followed by the second edition of the FIFA Club Confederations Cup Qatar 2025 on December 10, 13, and 17. (QNA)