The FIFA U-17 World Cup is an international men's youth football tournament contested by the under-17 national teams of the member associations of FIFA. 

Founded as FIFA U-16 World Championship, the biennial tournament was later changed to its contemporary name in 2007.

Inspired by the Lion City Cup that was founded by the Football Association of Singapore in 1977, FIFA created the FIFA U-16 World Championship under the recommendation of then secretary-general Sepp Blatter.

Nigeria won the inaugural edition of the tournament held in China in 1985. The young Super Eagles defeated West Germany 2-0 in the final in Beijing.

In 1991, FIFA later raised the age limit of male players in the marquee youth football tournament from 16 to 17.

Germany are the defending champions of the FIFA U-17 World Cup. They defeated France on penalties in the 2023 final in Indonesia to clinch their maiden FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Nigeria are the most successful team in the tournament’s history with four five titles.

The likes of Ghana and Mexico have won the FIFA U-17 World Cup two times each.

France, Soviet Union, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland and England have clinched the title once each. 

The 2021 edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The tournament later returned after four long years in Indonesia, making it the first time that the country hosted a FIFA tournament and also the first time that the FIFA U-17 World Cup was held in Southeast Asia. Get FIFA U-17 World Cup winners list.

FIFA U-17 World Cup winners list

Year

Host

Winner

Runner-up

1985

China

Nigeria

West Germany

1987

Canada

Soviet Union

Nigeria

1989

Scotland

Saudi Arabia

Scotland

1991

Italy

Ghana

Spain

1993

Japan

Nigeria

Ghana

1995

Ecuador

Ghana

Brazil

1997

Egypt

Brazil

Ghana

1999

New Zealand

Brazil

Australia

2001

Trinidad and Tobago

France

Nigeria

2003

Finland

Brazil

Spain

2005

Peru

Mexico

Brazil

2007

South Korea

Nigeria

Spain

2009

Nigeria

Switzerland

Nigeria

2011

Mexico

Mexico

Uruguay

2013

UAE

Nigeria

Mexico

2015

Chile

Nigeria

Mali

2017

India

England

Spain

2019

Brazil

Brazil

Mexico

2023

Indonesia

Germany

France

Most successful teams in FIFA U-17 World Cup: By each country

Team Titles Winning years
Nigeria 5 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013, 2015
Brazil 4 1997, 1999, 2003, 2019
Ghana 2 1991, 1995
Mexico 2 2005, 2011
Soviet Union 1 1987
Saudi Arabia 1 1989
France 1 2001
Switzerland 1 2009
England 1 2017
Germany 1 2023

Photo credit: Alamy