Doha, November 03 (QNA) - HE Minister of Sports and Youth Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Thani, Chair of the Local Organizing Committee of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025, said that hosting the tournament, which kicked off in Doha on Monday, underscores Qatar's leading position as a preferred global sports destination and its continued efforts to set new standards for player and fan experiences.

In his remarks today, His Excellency said that the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 marks a new chapter in the State of Qatar's rich football legacy.

HE the Minister of Sports and Youth expressed pride in hosting the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025, which is the first-ever FIFA tournament to feature 48 teams.

The tournament provides a platform to showcase exceptional rising football talents and will demonstrate the unifying power of sport in bringing together people and cultures from around the world, His Excellency said.

Having the FIFA U-17 World Cup taking place here, HE the Minister of Sports and Youth added, reflects Qatar's commitment to developing football on all levels.

He pointed out that the tournament will witness the emergence of future football stars from Aspire Academy, the country's leading sports institution that has produced many elite athletes.

The FIFA U-17 World Cup will take place in Qatar from November 3 to 27.

The 48 qualified nations will be drawn into 12 groups of four teams. The top two teams in each group, along with the eight best third-placed sides, will qualify for the Round of 32. From the Round of 32 onwards, the tournament will be played in a knockout format.

The tournament's expanded format includes five teams making their first-ever appearance at a FIFA U-17 World Cup: Fiji, Ireland, Zambia, El Salvador, and Uganda.

The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 is the first of five consecutive editions of the tournament to be hosted by Qatar through 2029.

The host nation, Qatar, aims to surpass its achievement from the 1991 edition, when it finished in 4th place. (QNA)