Saudi Arabia has won the hosting rights of Under-17 Asian Cup men’s football competition for the next three consecutive years for 2025, 2026 and 2027. After Fifa announced that the Under-17 men’s World Cup football championship will take place every year starting from 2025, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has decided to stage the under-17 Asian Cup every year.
Along with Saudi Arabia, China and Iraq expressed desire to get the hosting rights for the next three years. Among the three countries China and Saudi Arabia fulfilled all the terms and conditions in their biddings. Saudi finally won the rights. Incidentally, the last Under17 Asian Cup men’s football competition took place in Saudi Arabia last month from 3rd to 20th April. Uzbekistan clinched the title defeating the hosts for the second time.
Meanwhile, 23-member under-19 Indian squad for the forthcoming SAFF Under-19 championship has been announced by the chief coach Bibiano Fernandez on Tuesday. Among the 23 footballers, 13 from North East states have ensured their berths in the final team.
The tournament will take place at Golden Jubilee Stadium in Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh from 9th to 18th May. Six countries, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan Maldives and Sri Lanka will vie for the title. India will start their campaign on 9th May against Sri Lanka.
