The FIFA U-17 World Cup was founded as the FIFA U-16 World Championship, later changed to U-17 in 1991 and to its current name in 2007. It is the world championship of association football for male players under the age of 17 organized by Federation International de Football Association (FIFA).
The first edition was hosted by China in 1985 (35 years ago) and it comes up biennially (every 2 years). The current champion is Brazil, which won its fourth title at the 2019 edition on home soil.
Let's take a look at the tournament statistics from 1985 till date.
Most successful team
Nigeria
5 Titles (1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015).
3 Silver (runner-up) medal - 1987 in USSR, 2001 in Finland and 2009 in Nigeria.
Brazil
4 Titles (1995, 1997, 1999 and 2019).
All time goalscorer
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) - 10 goals
Most matches played: 89 matches (Brazil).
Fewest matches played: 3 matches (14 countries including Sudan, Finland, Togo, Denmark, Algeria e.t.c)
Most wins: 59 matches (Brazil).
Most losses: 32 matches (USA).
Most draws: 14 matches (Argentina).
Most goals conceded: 102 goals (USA).
Most goals scored: 192 goals (Brazil).
Fewest goals conceded: 3 goals (Scotland, Hungary, Togo and Rwanda).
Highest goal difference: +106 (Nigeria).
Lowest goal difference: -69 (New zealand).
Most played final: 2 times - Brazil vs Ghana (1995 & 1997) and Brazil vs Mexico (2005 & 2019).
Most goals scored in one tournament by a team: 27 goals by Nigeria in the 2013 edition.
Most goals scored by a champion: 27 goals (Nigeria in 2013).
Most goals scored by host: 21 goals by Mexico in 2011.
Fewest goals scored by a champion: 8 goals - Saudi Arabia (1989), Ghana (1991) and Brazil (1999).
Most goals scored in a single game:
Spain 13 - 0 New Zealand (in Egypt 1997).
Most goals scored in a single tournament: 172 goals (2013 edition).
The 18th edition comes up next, watch out!
Fabiyi Ridwan
Sports Writer and Analyst
