Kochi: All of a sudden players and lovers of the beautiful game in India are dreaming. Ever since FIFA allotted the U-17 world cup in 2017 to India it has caught the imagination of everyone. Three years is all that remains and here is some data about the event that has set the platform for numerous talented players ever since its inception 28 years ago.
History of the FIFA U-17 World Cup The FIFA U-17 World Cup kickedoff in 1985 with the first edition being hosted in China. It began as a Competition for Players under age of 16 with age limit raised to 17 from 1991 onwards. The last edition which was hosted by United Arab Emirates (November 2013) was eventually won by Nigeria U-17 when they defeated Mexico U-17 3-0 in the Final.
The next edition in 2015 is slated to be played in Chile.
How many Asian Countries have hosted the Tournament so far?
Since its inception in China, Japan, South Korea, and United Arab Emirates are the other Asian countries to have hosted the U-17 World Cup so far.
How many Asian Countries have won the Tournament so far?
Saudi Arabia is the only Asian Country to have won it in 1989. Format of the Tournament The Tournament is played among 24 Teams divided into six groups.
Each Group will have four Teams who will play against each other and the top-two from each Group plus the four best third-placed Teams will advance to the Knockout stage (Played among 16 Teams  commonly referred to as the pre Quarterfinals). Thereafter, the eight winners among the 16 Teams advance to the Quarterfinals and subsequently to the Semifinals and the Final.
Who are eligible to play in 2017 World Cup?
Boys born on or after 01.01.2000 will be eligible to play in the 2017 World Cup Notable Stars who have made it big from the FIFA U-17 World Cup Ronaldinho (Brasil), Xavi Hernandez, Cesc Fabregas, Iker Casillas, David Silva (Spain), Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano (Argentina), Michael Essien (Ghana), Samir Nasri, Karim Benzema (France), Jon Obi Mikel, Habib Makanjuola (Nigeria), Toni Kroos (Germany), Landon Donovan (USA)
Which would be the host Cities for the U-17 2017 World Cup?
The Tournament will be played in six venues which are to be shortlisted from eight Cities. The venue list will be selected from the following: New Delhi: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Goa: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Bengaluru: KSFA Stadium Mumbai: Cooperage Stadium Kochi: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Kolkata:Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan Guwahati: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium -All India Football Federation
