New Zealand have learned their group opponents for this year’s men’s and women’s FIFA U-17 World Cup tournaments.
The groups for the FIFA U-17 World Cup and FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup were confirmed after the draws at the Home of FIFA in Zürich, Switzerland.
New Zealand have been drawn in Group A at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026, where they will face hosts Morocco, Germany and Argentina.
The 24-team tournament will be staged in Morocco from October 17 to November 7, 2026.
Oceania’s other representative, Samoa, have been drawn in Group E with the United States, China PR and a still-to-be-confirmed African qualifier. Samoa qualified as runners-up at last year’s OFC U-16 Women’s Championship.
New Zealand qualified for the women’s tournament after winning the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship.
FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup draw
Group A: Morocco, New Zealand, Germany, Argentina
Group B: Korea DPR, Puerto Rico, Poland, CAF 1
Group C: Canada, Brazil, Norway, CAF 2
Group D: Japan, CAF 3, France, Venezuela
Group E: United States, Samoa, CAF 4, China PR
Group F: Spain, Mexico, Australia, Chile
READ MORE: Date confirmed for men’s and women’s FIFA U-17 World Cup draws >>
At the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026, the New Zealand U-17 men’s team have been drawn in Group G against Mali, Belgium and Vietnam.
The 48-team tournament will be played in Qatar from November 19 to December 13, 2026.
New Zealand qualified as winners of the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship, with New Caledonia and Fiji also earning places at the tournament.
New Caledonia have been drawn in Group B with Korea Republic, Ecuador and an African qualifier, while Fiji will play Spain, China PR and Morocco in Group H.
FIFA U-17 World Cup draw
Group A: Qatar, Panama, Egypt, Greece
Group B: Korea Republic, Uganda, New Caledonia, Ecuador
Group C: Argentina, Australia, Mozambique, Denmark
Group D: France, Haiti, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group E: Italy, Jamaica, Côte d’Ivoire, Uzbekistan
Group F: Senegal, Croatia, Cuba, Tajikistan
Group G: Mali, New Zealand, Belgium, Vietnam
Group H: Spain, China PR, Fiji, Morocco
Group I: Brazil, Republic of Ireland, Tanzania, Costa Rica
Group J: United States, Montenegro, Chile, Algeria
Group K: Mexico, Romania, Cameroon, Venezuela
Group L: Japan, Colombia, Serbia, Honduras
Both tournaments have expanded as part of FIFA’s changes to youth competitions. The men’s U-17 World Cup now has 48 teams and is being played annually, while the women’s U-17 World Cup has moved to 24 teams and an annual format.
The final match schedules, including kick-off times and venues, will be confirmed later.
This story was first published on May 27, 2026.