The Republic of Ireland’s Under-17 team have made history by reaching the knockout stages of the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the first time, topping Group J to set up a Round of 32 showdown with Canada in Qatar.
Colin O’Brien’s side will face Canada on Friday, 14th November at Al Rayyan Stadium, with a place in the last 16 on the line. Victory would see Ireland meet either Switzerland or Egypt as their remarkable journey continues.
The match will take place at 15:15 Irish time and will be broadcast live on RTÉ2.
Ireland’s progress to the knockouts was sealed with a gritty 0-0 draw against Paraguay, which confirmed their position at the top of the group on seven points. Earlier, they had recorded back-to-back wins over Panama and Uzbekistan, showing resilience and maturity beyond their years.
The results reflect the steady progress of a generation nurtured through the FAI’s youth development pathways. O’Brien, who guided the side to qualification earlier this year, praised his players’ discipline and teamwork throughout the group stage, saying their performances “have reflected everything this group stands for — hard work, bravery on the ball, and belief.”
Canada, who advanced as one of the best runners-up, present a tough test in the knockout phase, but the Irish squad’s momentum and tactical cohesion have made them one of the tournament’s surprise packages.
A win would cement their place among the most promising youth sides in Europe. Beyond results, the campaign has offered invaluable experience against world-class opposition, with several players catching the eye of scouts and senior coaches.
Players representing Shamrock Rovers, Cork City, Finn Harps, Wexford and Dundalk make up over half the squad, giving another boost to the League of Ireland
Image Credit: FIFA
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