Uzbekistan drawn into challenging group for U-17 World Cup

The official draw ceremony for the U-17 World Cup, which will take place in Qatar from November 3 to November 25 this year, was recently held.
 
Uzbekistan will face Paraguay, Panama, and Ireland in Group J.
 
Group Draws:

- Group A: Qatar, Italy, South Africa, Bolivia
 
- Group B: Japan, Morocco, New Caledonia, Portugal
 
- Group C: Senegal, Croatia, Costa Rica, UAE
 
- Group D: Argentina, Belgium, Tunisia, Fiji
 
- Group E: England, Venezuela, Haiti, Egypt
 
- Group F: Mexico, South Korea, Ivory Coast, Switzerland
 
- Group G: Germany, Colombia, North Korea, El Salvador
 
- Group H: Brazil, Honduras, Indonesia, Zambia
 
- Group I: USA, Burkina Faso, Tajikistan, Czech Republic
 
- Group J: Paraguay, Uzbekistan, Panama, Ireland
 
- Group K: France, Chile, Canada, Uganda
 
- Group L: Mali, New Zealand, Austria, Saudi Arabia

Uzbekistan will kick off their campaign on November 5 against Paraguay, followed by a match against Ireland on November 8. The group stage will conclude with a game against Panama on November 11. All matches will be played at the Aspire Zone stadium in Doha.
 
Following the draw, the head coach of the Uzbekistan U-17 team, Islombek Ismoilov, shared his thoughts on the tournament and their group-stage opponents.
 
"All three of our opponents are strong representatives of their respective regions and have earned their places in this tournament. Therefore, we will prepare thoroughly and individually for each match. Paraguay is known for their blend of physical strength, discipline, and technical skill, and they never back down from a challenge. Panama represents a growing football school within the CONCACAF region, with a style built on speed, counterattacks, and high pressing. Ireland, as a classic European side, stands out for their well-organized play and strong discipline," he told the UFA press service.
 
He stressed that "there are no easy opponents in this group."
 
"Undoubtedly, all teams in the group are strong. At this level, there are no easy matches. But as Asian champions, we’re not here just to participate — we’re here to compete with every opponent, to showcase our potential, and to represent our nation with pride. There is belief within our team. Over the past years, we’ve gained significant experience, having played in many tough matches. Now we approach each game with deep analysis, a clear plan, and high mental preparedness. Our full focus is on thoroughly studying our opponents, adapting to the climate and environment, and preparing our players both tactically and psychologically. It is an honor for us to raise our country’s flag on the global stage and bring joy to our football fans," Ismoilov emphasized.
 
For context, the tournament will run from November 3 to November 27 in Qatar. The top two teams from each of the 12 groups, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the Round of 16.
 
As a reminder, the Uzbekistan U-17 team won the AFC U-17 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia in April, defeating the host nation 2–0 in the final, despite playing much of the match with two players fewer.
 
This marked Uzbekistan’s second U-17 Asian Cup title in history. They went unbeaten in the tournament, recording victories against Thailand (4:1), China (2:1), and Saudi Arabia (3:0) in the group stage, the UAE (3:1) in the quarterfinal, and North Korea (3:0) in the semifinal.
 
With their quarterfinal win, Uzbekistan also secured their spot in the FIFA U-17 World Cup.