New Delhi: India plays Brazil in a FIFA world cup† Not in the world football government’s flagship event, but in the women’s U-17 tournament.
Host nation India, along with soccer superpowers Morocco and the US, have been clubbed into a tough group for the upcoming U-17 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the draw of which took place in Zurich on Friday.
The country is slated to host the tournament from October 11 to 30 at three venues: Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa and Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium.
India, the host country, is an automatic roster and is placed in Group A.
A total of 16 teams in four groups will participate in the tournament.
India will begin their campaign against the US on October 11 (Tuesday) at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. Their second game is on October 14 (Friday) against Morocco at the same venue. The home team’s last group match against Brazil is on October 17 (Monday).
India was scheduled to host the 2020 edition of the World Cup, but the tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Defending champions Spain, who defeated Mexico in the final of the 2018 edition, are placed in Group C, along with Colombia, China and Mexico.
Group B consists of Germany, Nigeria, Chile and New Zealand. Japan, Tanzania, Canada and France form Group D.
North Korea is the most successful team in the tournament’s history, winning the trophy in 2008 and 2016, while Japan, South Korea and France have won the title once each.
Host Mollie Kmita presented the official draw and was joined by former United States women’s national soccer team and winner of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Heather O’Reilly, former coach of the New Zealand National Team, Ricki Herbert, as well as Jaime Yarza, FIFA Director of Tournaments, and Sarai Bareman, FIFA Women’s Football Chief.
This is the second time India has hosted a FIFA tournament after the 2017 Men’s Under-17 World Cup.
Also read: † Union Min. of Youth Affair and Sports Khelo Introduces India Tribal Games
