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Each of the host stadiums has been renovated to keep maintaining it as per world class standards. And the results have so far been outstanding.
The top 24 teams around the world will face-off to clinch the silverware in the 22-day affair. But, there are a few major teams which did not make the cut to India. There have been a few shocking exclusions, especially the fact that some of the greatest football nations will not feature in upcoming Under-17 World Cup.
Let us have a look at the major teams which failed to qualify for the 2017 Under-17 World Cup:
#5 Italy
Italy is by far one of the most successful footballing nations in the world having won four FIFA World Cup titles. But they are yet to make a mark in the Under-17 biennial event. Their best show at this event was back in 1987 when they finished 4th. Since then, it has been a topsy-turvy ride for the “Azzuris” who have not been consistent like their senior pros.
2013 was, in fact, the last time the Europeans made it to the main rounds of the tournament.
The most remarkable achievement of the Italian colts was back in 1982 when they won the inaugural U-16 European Championships (U-17 European Championships now). As a matter of fact, it was in that very year that the legendary Paolo Rossi inspired the Italian senior team to their third World Cup triumph.
Spain and Turkey had the better of the Italians in the group stages, thus ending their pursuit of a 7th Under-17 World Cup appearance.
#4 Uruguay
Another powerhouse in world football, the first ever FIFA World Cup winner has now failed to show up in two consecutive FIFA Under-17 World Cups. The last time they featured in this showpiece event was back in 2013 held in the United Arab Emirates.
After a promising start to their campaign, they showed an immense character as a team and eased to the quarterfinals four years ago, but the dream run came to a halt when they were outclassed by the Nigerians. The Uruguayans’ displays during the South American U-17 Championships earlier this year were below par which crushed their dreams of playing in India.
Qualifications from Latin America have always been the toughest among all the confederations, considering the fact that 10 teams battle it out in tightly contested matches for a limited number of spots. Finishing in the second spot during the 2011 edition in Mexico was the best performance by the young guns of Uruguay.
#3 Australia
One of the most consistent teams in the history of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, the “Socceroos” earned the ticket to the event as many as 12 out of 16 occasions, which is second only to Brazil and USA who had the privilege to be present in 15 out of a possible 16.
The Australians missed the silverware by a whisker in 1999 following which they never made it to the last eight stage of the competition. The Aussies paid a visit to India last year for the AFC U-16 Championships but lost every match which tampered their qualification hopes.
The men in yellow have been the leading football nation under the Asian Football Federation (AFC), apart from Iran.Having won the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, they will defend their title two years from now in the United Arab Emirates. A couple of years ago, they were kicked out of the 2015 U-17 World Cup by virtue of a 0-6 thrashing by Nigeria who went on to lift the trophy.
#2 Argentina
Argentina has produced two of the greatest players to ever grace the beautiful game of football, but sadly the youth of the South American country has not lived up to its legacy. The land of Diego Maradona has never been a real force to reckon with in this event as they have never made to the final, finishing 3rd on three occasions before.
Their last outing was the during the 2015 edition which ended disastrously for them in which they conceded eight goals in the group stages and scored only once which was enough to show them the exit door.
The sky-blue striped brigade finished at the bottom of the final rankings during that time. Their qualifying round was pretty similar to Uruguay, winning a single match and faltering in the rest three encounters.
Interestingly, the Argentine senior team is on the brink of losing out on a possible berth in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2018. Lionel Messi and Co. need to win the remaining two matches in the qualifying rounds to ensure they travel to Russia next year.
#1 Nigeria
The presence of Nigeria is probably the most surprising element in our list, considering the fact that the African nation is the most successful team in the history of the Under-17 World Cup with five titles and is even the current title holder. They have won the last two editions of this mega event but failed to book a ticket to the final round of qualification for the 2017 affair.
They lost to Niger 2-3 on aggregate in the two-leg fixture thus becoming the first incumbent winner failing to qualify for the title defence since Switzerland in 2009. Surprisingly, Niger will make their debut in this particular tournament later this year. The “Super Eagles” has been a powerhouse of African football in the 21st century having qualified in 5 out of the 6 FIFA World Cup competitions.
The most prominent player which Nigerian football produced was John Obi Mikel, who played top-flight European football for more than 10 years. In fact, he became a popular name after his promising display during the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Cup which was held in Finland.
