Doha, November 12 (QNA) - The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 has delivered a series of record-breaking moments as the group stage wrapped up after 72 matches played over nine days across 12 groups. The tournament continues until Nov. 27.

All group-stage matches were held at the Aspire Zone sports complex, allowing fans to enjoy a festive atmosphere and move easily between venues to attend multiple games.

A total of 250 goals were scored — the first time the tournament has surpassed the 200-goal mark. Morocco registered the biggest victory in U-17 World Cup history, defeating New Caledonia 16–0.

Among standout performers, Czech forward Vit Skrkon scored the first hat trick of the tournament in just seven minutes, while Belgium's Rene Mitongo became the first player this year to net four goals in a single match, leading his team to a 7–0 win over debutants Fiji.

Qatar 2025 is also the first U-17 World Cup to feature a round of 32. Debutants Ireland, Uganda and Zambia advanced, alongside defending champions Germany and four-time winners Brazil. Three Arab teams — Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt — also reached the knockout stage.

Jassim Abdulaziz Al Jassim, chief executive of the local organizing committee, said Qatar had once again achieved a historic milestone by hosting the largest edition of the U-17 World Cup, underscoring its expertise in staging global sporting events and commitment to youth football development.

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom, who attended several matches, said that the expanded format is taking global youth football "to the next level."

"This is truly a paradise for a football fan like me. Being able to watch teams from every continent, and moving just five minutes between pitches, is something extraordinary," said the FIFA Secretary General.

"A lot of credit goes to the Local Organising Committee, who have done a truly fantastic job. In the Aspire Zone, you can move from one pitch to another and watch eight games in a single day; it's really something remarkable. We already had a great FIFA World Cup here in 2022, but this takes it to an entirely new level for youth football."

"I think our Qatari hosts have done a truly fantastic job here. I take my hat off to the entire team, together with the FIFA team, for their great work. From what I’ve heard, the participating teams are extremely pleased with the hotels, training facilities, and the overall pitch conditions," said Grafstrom. "Having the opportunity to make use of the pitches and all the facilities built for the FIFA World Cup 2022 is truly fantastic."

This year's edition brought together an unprecedented number of teams, with 1,008 players competing in the group stage. Five nations — Fiji, Ireland, Zambia, El Salvador and Uganda — made their tournament debuts. Teams benefited from Qatar's advanced infrastructure, conducting 364 training sessions across 16 venues, with 48 sessions held daily. Training grounds such as Al Ersal and Al Thumama offered players the chance to practice at facilities once used by some of the sport's biggest stars during Qatar 2022. 

During the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025, fans were able to purchase daily tickets that allowed them to attend multiple matches in a single day, with up to eight games played daily during the group stage. Organizers said the unique hosting concept was central to the fan experience and also gave scouts from leading clubs the chance to watch emerging talent in one location.

A total of 130 scouts from some of the world's most prominent football clubs attended, taking advantage of the compact nature of the tournament.

The close proximity of venues enabled players and fans to move easily using Qatar's modern public transport network. The Doha Metro provided convenient access to stadiums, while a fleet of modern buses and parking services ensured smooth travel for teams and supporters, including wheelchair-accessible options for fans with disabilities.

The tournament drew strong crowds, with 52,657 fans attending group-stage matches, reflecting Qatar's vibrant football culture. Active participation by local communities added to the lively atmosphere in stadiums.

In line with Qatar's commitment to inclusive events, the U-17 World Cup ensured accessibility for fans with disabilities. Facilities included wheelchair seating in all stadiums, a sensory assistance room in the fan zone for supporters with autism and sensory challenges, and audio descriptive commentary for blind and visually impaired fans.

Volunteerism also played a key role, with 465 volunteers from 35 nationalities supporting operations across 14 areas. They are part of the FIFA Qatar 2025 volunteer program, which is recruiting 4,000 volunteers to assist with tournaments hosted in the country this year.

The tournament's official medical partner, Aspetar, a global leader in orthopedics and sports medicine, provided five clinics at stadiums to serve players and fans, working alongside Hamad General Hospital to deliver emergency and medical services.

On the media front, 1,153 accredited journalists covered the group stage. The fully equipped media center at Aspire Zone served as a hub, allowing reporters to be at the heart of the action and highlight rising talent on the global stage. (QNA)