May 29 – FIFA’s events have become like buses. You wait for four years for one and then suddenly you get four of them at the same time. With the Club World Cup set to kick off next month and the draws for the U17 World Cup and Arab Cup in Qatar held last week, today FIFA focus is on the draw for U20 World Cup Chile 2025.
The finals will be played from September 27 to October 19 in Santiago, Valparaíso, Rancagua and Talca. The 24 teams in the draw will be placed in six groups of four teams.
This will be the second time that Chile has hosted the U20 World Cup having held them in 1987 -Yugoslavia edged West Germany on penalties to claim the tournament crown.
Chile also hosted the 1962 World Cup, the U20 Women’s World Cup 2008 and the 2015 edition of the U17 World Cup.
Argentina have been the most successful at U20 level having won six titles followed by Brazil with five. New Caledonia are the only nation making their debut in the finals.
All FIFA finals must have a mascot and for this Chile have Vito the vizcacha, “a champion of Chile and its vibrant culture, friendly people and stunning scenery, (who) is ready to welcome the football family to his homeland”.
Vito has a “sociable persona, endearing appearance and boundless energy…” The “loveable vizcacha” is an animal native to South America, which resembles a rabbit or chinchilla.
At last something lovable from the world governing body on the anniversary of its 10-year corruption love-in with the FBI.
Nations in 24-team draw:
AFC: Australia, Japan, Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia
CAF: Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa
Concacaf: Cuba, Mexico, Panama, USA
CONMEBOL: Argentina, Brazil, Chile (hosts), Colombia, Paraguay
OFC: New Caledonia, New Zealand
UEFA: France, Italy, Norway, Spain, Ukraine
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