European six learn World Cup fate
Friday 7 August 2009
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Nigeria lifted the U-17 World Cup in 2007 (©Getty Images)
UEFA European Under-17 Championship winners Germany will open the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup against hosts and holders Nigeria after the draw was made for the finals.
Hard group
The 24-team World Cup will be held from 24 October until 15 November in Nigeria, with the host nation defending the trophy after beating Spain in the 2007 final in South Korea. Germany, who won the European title on home soil in May, open the tournament against Nigeria in Abuja with Argentina and Honduras also involved in Group A.
European sextet
Switzerland, making their U-17 World Cup debut, have a tough group involving three-time winners Brazil and 2005 champions Mexico, and the Netherlands, Turkey, Spain and Italy will also be representing Europe after top-three finishes in the European U17 group stage. Only two European sides have ever won the competition but two years ago Spain were runners-up for the third time, losing on penalties to Nigeria after a 0-0 draw.
| 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup draw | |||||
| Group A | Group B | ||||
| Nigeria (hosts/holders) | Brazil | ||||
| Germany | Japan | ||||
| Honduras | Mexico | ||||
| Argentina | Switzerland | ||||
| Group C | Group D | ||||
| Iran | Turkey | ||||
| Gambia | Burkina Faso | ||||
| Colombia | Costa Rica | ||||
| Netherlands | New Zealand | ||||
| Group E | Group F | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Uruguay | ||||
| Malawi | South Korea | ||||
| Spain | Algeria | ||||
| United States | Italy | ||||
Past winners
1985: Nigeria
1987: Soviet Union
1989: Saudi Arabia
1991: Ghana
1993: Nigeria
1995: Ghana
1997: Brazil
1999: Brazil
2001: France
2003: Brazil
2005: Mexico
2007: Nigeria
(UEFA representatives in bold)
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