The UAE will learn the identity of their opponents for the October-November FIFA Under-17 World Cup later today, with the hosts avoiding some of the competition’s best sides thanks to their No1 seeding.
FIFA and Local Organising Committee officials will convene at the Fairmont Hotel in Abu Dhabi to make the official draw for the tournament. You can watch it HERE from 7pm.
The hosts are the only team out of 24 competing nations who know in which section they will play, with the Whites being placed in Group A as the top seed.
Thanks to their position in the draw, the UAE will avoid continental champions Uzbekistan, Mexico, Argentina, Ivory Coast and Russia, who will head the other five groups.
The competition will have six groups of four teams, with the only seeding being the top teams, so the UAE could draw any team that isn’t a continental champion.
FIFA representatives have been here all week inspecting stadia in the build-up to the draw and are confident the showpiece event will live up to expectations.
– FIFA Under-17 World Cup tickets on sale now
FIFA director of competitions Mustafa Fahmi said: “This is the fifth championship the UAE is organising, having previously held World Cups for the Under-17s in 2003 as well as beach soccer.
“The UAE has always been a very good host, and we are certain that the hospitality will be exemplary. There are still many important things that need to be sorted, but I’m confident in the Local Organising Committee and everything will be ready before the tournament.
“More than 80 per cent of requirements have been achieved and we still have two months before the championships – the [work] will all be done by then.”
Tournament director Mohammad bin Badoua added: “There are a few things lacking, true, but these are things that need time. There is a bit of construction, but they will not be obstacles. Everything is going to plan.”
One of the major talking points ahead of the World Cup has been the prospect of a low turnout. FIFA have laid down a marker for the hosts, saying they expect the stadiums to be 70 per cent full.
FIFA official Rafael Salguero said: “We want at least 70 per cent capacity at the stadiums. There will be special days for some teams like Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and the UAE where we want a full stadium, but 70 or 80 per cent means already a lot of success for us.”
The tournament kicks off on Oct-ober 17 and matches will be played in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Sharjah.
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