DOHA — Egypt’s U-17 national team advanced to the Round of 32 at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025, securing qualification despite a 3-0 defeat to England in their final Group E clash.
The Young Pharaohs wrapped up the group stage in third place with four points, while England moved into second on six. Venezuela topped Group E standings with seven points after overcoming Haiti, who bowed out of the tournament without a single point.
Egypt’s four-point haul proved enough to see them through as one of the best third-placed sides in the tournament’s expanded 48-team format — the first in U-17 World Cup history.
The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 runs from November 3 to 27. The Round of 32 kicks off on November 14–15, where Egypt will face one of the top-seeded group winners. Their next opponent will be determined once the remaining group-stage fixtures are completed.
Group stage recap
Egypt opened their campaign in fine form, beating Haiti 4–1 before earning a 1–1 draw with Venezuela. England, meanwhile, bounced back from a 3–0 loss to Venezuela to thrash Haiti 8–1.
In their final group match, England struck early through Manchester City star Regan Hesketh, who fired home from the edge of the area in the 14th minute.
Hesketh doubled the lead in the 54th minute, finishing off a swift counterattack, before Harrison Miles sealed the 3–0 victory in the dying moments.
Despite the defeat, Egyptian goalkeeper Omar Abdelaziz shone between the posts, notably saving a second-half penalty from Hesketh in the 64th minute.
Group E ultimately concluded with Venezuela leading the way on seven points, England following with six, Egypt securing four, and Haiti finishing bottom without a point.
Road to U-17 WC
Egypt qualified for the U-17 World Cup after overcoming Angola 2–1 in the African playoff qualifiers.
This marks Egypt’s third appearance at the U-17 World Cup, following campaigns in 1987 (Canada) and 1997 (Egypt).
In 1987, Egypt exited in the group stage, beating hosts Canada 3–0 but losing narrowly to Qatar (1–0) and Italy (1–0).
Ten years later, on home soil, the Young Pharaohs reached the quarter-finals after finishing second in their group behind Germany with five points, following a 3–2 win over Trinidad and Tobago and draws with Chile (1–1) and Germany (1–1). They bowed out after a hard-fought 2–1 loss to Spain.
Next up for Egypt
According to tournament regulations, the 12 group winners are ranked based on points and goal difference, followed by the runners-up and the eight best third-placed teams.
This ranking system sets up the Round of 32, with the top-ranked group winner facing the lowest-ranked third-placed team, the second-ranked winner taking on the seventh, and so on.
Egypt’s final position in the group will therefore be crucial in determining which of the top-seeded group winners they will meet in the knockout stage.
So far, Italy, Japan, Senegal, Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Switzerland, Germany, the USA, Northern Ireland, France, and Austria have all secured direct spots to the Round of 32 by topping their respective groups.
Morocco, meanwhile, recovered from two opening defeats to claim third place in Group B, making headlines with a record-breaking 16-0 demolition of New Caledonia — the largest margin of victory in FIFA U-17 World Cup history, surpassing Spain’s 13-0 win over New Zealand.
Tunisia also progressed to the knockout rounds as one of the best third-placed teams from Group D, earning three points from a single win and two losses.
