The U-17 Men's World Cup is usually followed by football scouts and keen fans all searching for the next Lionel Messi — but the 2025 edition has taken on greater significance. The tournament has become FIFA's testing ground for the 48-team format, the one that will be on show at the World Cup in the United States , Canada and Mexico in 2026. It's also the start of an annual cycle of these under-17 tournaments, and the first of five consecutive tournaments to be played in Qatar . FIFA expert and