U-17 FIFA World Cup: Zambia pooled in Group of Death - Bakala

Photo Credit - FAZ Media.

Zambia U-17 national team head coach Ian Bakala has labelled their group at 2025 the FIFA U-17 World Cup tournament as the ‘Group of Death.’

During the draw held in Qatar, the Young Chipolopolo were drawn in Group H alongside Brazil, Honduras, and Indonesia. The tournament will take place in Qatar from November 3rd to 27th, 2025.

“It’s a group of death and it’s a tight group you know at this stage any group can qualify to the second round. For us the most important thing is the preparation, how we are going to prepare to be ready when we are there,” said Bakala as quoted by Bola News.

“The only thing we are looking at is the MRI you may find that a good player you need him in the team, but the player didn’t go through the MRI which is becoming very difficult for us as coaches and a lot of people have been complaining about our players.”

He concluded: “These players are young they just have to be together for a period of time, at the AFCON we had challenges with some positions and obviously we will look at it this time. All we need is support and we will do better.”

The 2025 edition of the U-17 World Cup is the biggest in the competition’s history, with 48 teams drawn into 12 groups of four. The top two teams in each group, along with the eight best third-placed sides, will qualify for the Round of 32. From the Round of 32 onwards, the tournament will be played in a knockout format.

Germany are the current champions of the competition while Nigeria are the record winners with five trophies. Ghana is the other African nation that has won the tournament.