How to Watch the FIFA U-17 World Cup for Free to See Who Becomes the Next Neymar
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The FIFA U-17 World Cup is where future soccer stars get their first taste of the global stage—and if you’re curious about the next generation of talent, this is the tournament to watch. Past editions have featured players like Neymar, Phil Foden, and Xavi years before they became household names. Whether you’re following the U.S. squad or simply wondering how to watch the FIFA U-17 World Cup to discover new talent, we’ve got you covered with ways to stream each match without cable.
How to Watch the FIFA U-17 World Cup at a Glance
- Streaming Options: DirecTV Stream, Fubo, Sling TV, and Hulu + Live TV.
- Channels: FS1, FS2, Fox Sports App
- Tournament Dates: November 3, 2025 through November 27, 2025
- Location: Aspire Zone and Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar
If you’re more familiar with the World Cup itself, think of the U-17 version as the youth edition—a separate tournament specifically for players 17 years old and younger. It’s been around since 1985 and happens independently from the main World Cup, giving every country’s best teenage talent a chance to face off against the world’s other top youth squads on an international stage.
The 2025 edition of FIFA U-17 kicks off in Qatar this week with a record-breaking 48 teams, double the usual size, making it the biggest youth tournament in FIFA history. This marks the 20th iteration of the tournament, held from November 3, 2025 through November 27, 2025, with all matches until the final taking place across eight pitches at the Aspire Zone complex in Al Rayyan. The championship match will be set at Khalifa International Stadium.
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström has spoken out about the tournament’s significance, stating, “The FIFA U-17 World Cup has proven to be an important stepping stone for the next generation of the world’s best young footballers, who display exceptional skill and dedication.” With this year’s expanded format, there are even more opportunities for young athletes to announce themselves on the global stage.
So, whether you’re a dedicated soccer fan tracking the sport’s next generation or just looking to tune into some world-class youth competition, you’re in for a tournament that’s bigger and better than ever. But we saved the best news for last: You can watch it all for free, without ever paying for a cable subscription. Keep reading to learn how.
How to Watch the FIFA U-17 World Cup Live for Free
The FIFA U-17 World Cup will air on various Fox Sports channels, with coverage split between FS1, FS2, the Fox Sports App, and FOXSports.com. Each channel is available through multiple streaming services that offer free trials, giving you a chance to access the tournament without any upfront costs. Fubo stands out as a top recommendation for comprehensive sports coverage, offering FS1 and FS2 on the Pro package at $84.99 per month with a seven-day free trial, providing extensive sports programming for households wanting international football alongside other athletic content. DirecTV Stream also delivers strong coverage across Entertainment, Choice, Ultimate, and Premier packages with a five-day free trial, featuring monthly plans that start at $84.99 after promotional periods conclude.
Meanwhile, Hulu + Live TV takes a different strategy by offering a three-day free trial with monthly plans starting at $82.99, delivering additional value through bundling Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ with live television access. Sling TV offers FS1 through its Blue plan, with the Blue package at $50.99 per month representing a solid value for budget-conscious viewers, though FS2 requires an additional Sports Extra add-on.
- Best Overall Pick to Watch FIFA U-17 World Cup: DirecTV Stream
- Best Free Trial Pick to Watch FIFA U-17 World Cup: Fubo
- Best Budget Pick to Watch FIFA U-17 World Cup: Sling TV
- Best Bundle Pick to Watch FIFA U-17 World Cup: Hulu + Live TV
– Includes local networks and 90+ channels
– Includes local networks and 200+ channels
– 30+ channels
– Includes free Hulu, ESPN+, and Disney+ plans
Where is the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup taking place?
The 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup will be held in Qatar from November 3, 2025 through November 27, 2025. This marks the first time Qatar has hosted the FIFA U-17 World Cup and represents the beginning of a five-year hosting agreement, with the country set to host consecutive tournaments through 2029.
Most matches will take place at the Aspire Zone complex in Al Rayyan, less than six miles from central Doha, using eight separate pitches for simultaneous matches. The setup is pretty ideal for fans, who can catch multiple games in a single day without having to travel between different stadiums. The final will be played at Khalifa International Stadium, a 45,857-capacity venue that hosted six matches during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Built in 1976, it’s one of Qatar’s oldest and most recognizable sporting venues.
How does the FIFA U-17 World Cup format work?
The 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup is the first to feature 48 teams competing in the tournament, doubling from the previous 24-team format. This edition also marks the beginning of an annual cycle for the competition. The tournament format mirrors the structure that will be used for the senior FIFA World Cup beginning in 2026, making this youth competition a test run for the expanded format.
The 48 teams are divided into 12 groups of four, with 104 matches scheduled in total. The top two teams from each group automatically qualify for the knockout rounds, while the eight best third-place teams also proceed to the Round of 32. From there, the competition follows a single-elimination format through the Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, third-place match, and final. In knockout matches, if teams are level at the end of regular time, the winner is determined by a penalty shootout without extra time.
Who is playing at the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup?
A total of 48 teams from six continental confederations qualified for the tournament. Five nations will make their U-17 World Cup debut: El Salvador, Fiji, Republic of Ireland, Uganda, and Zambia. Germany enters as the defending champions after winning its first U-17 World Cup title in 2023. The 12 groups for the tournament are:
- Group A: Qatar (host), Italy, South Africa, Bolivia
- Group B: Japan, Morocco, New Caledonia, Portugal
- Group C: Senegal, Croatia, Costa Rica, United Arab Emirates
- Group D: Argentina, Belgium, Tunisia, Fiji
- Group E: England, Venezuela, Haiti, Egypt
- Group F: Mexico, South Korea, Ivory Coast, Switzerland
- Group G: Germany, Colombia, North Korea, El Salvador
- Group H: Brazil, Honduras, Indonesia, Zambia
- Group I: USA, Burkina Faso, Tajikistan, Czechia
- Group J: Paraguay, Uzbekistan, Panama, Ireland
- Group K: France, Chile, Canada, Uganda
- Group L: Mali, New Zealand, Austria, Saudi Arabia
What is the FIFA U-17 World Cup schedule?
The tournament is officially underway, having kicked off on November 3, 2025 with multiple opening day matches. The group stage runs through November 11, with matches taking place daily across eight pitches at Aspire Zone.
Tournament Dates
- November 3-11: Group stage (Ceremonial Opener: Qatar vs. Italy at 10:45 a.m. ET on November 3)
- November 14-16: Round of 32
- November 17-18: Round of 16
- November 21: Quarterfinals
- November 24: Semifinals
- November 26: Third-place match (3:30 p.m. local time/7:30 a.m. ET)
- November 27: Final at Khalifa International Stadium (7 p.m. local time/11 a.m. ET)
