Under-17 Women’s World Cup: Match schedule and host cities announced

The stage is set for future stars of women’s football as the match schedule and official host cities for the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup India 2020™ were unveiled by FIFA and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) on 18 February, alongside the official slogan for the tournament.

With less than 260 days to go until the start of the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup India 2020, Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Kolkata and Navi Mumbai were confirmed by FIFA and the LOC as the five host cities for the tournament. 16 teams including the rising stars of women’s football will compete across 32 matches to lift the coveted trophy on 21 November in Navi Mumbai.

Following the launch of the Official Emblem in November 2019, the unveiling of the five host cities and official match schedule marks a major milestone for the tournament as fans in the host cities and across India prepare to welcome the future stars and heroes of women’s football to the country.

In another significant announcement for the tournament, the official slogan for the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup India 2020™ - Kick Off The Dream™ - was also unveiled at a press conference in Delhi.

Building on the passion and excitement generated by last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, as well as the legacy left by the FIFA Under-17 World Cup that was hosted by India in 2017, Kick Off The Dream™ represents a powerful message that aims to encourage and inspire both men and women in India and beyond to pursue their dreams and help to kick start a new era of growth for women’s football in the country and around the world.

Sarai Bareman, Chief Women’s Football Officer at FIFA, said: “Today’s announcement of the match schedule, host cities and official slogan for the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup India 2020 represents a major moment for the tournament and football fans across India and around the world.

“As we look to build on the incredible success of last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, as well as the legacy left from the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2017, the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in India provides an exciting opportunity, not just for the development of women’s football, but for fans across India and around the world to watch the next superstars of the women’s game.

“As the official tournament slogan, Kick Off The Dream™ perfectly captures the aspirational and empowering message for the tournament as we look to grow women’s football and use the tournament as a platform to inspire girls of all ages across India and around the world.”

Hon’ble Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs (I/C), Shri Kiren Rijiju said: “It gives me immense pleasure as I congratulate all the five cities hosting the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup India 2020. As India prepares to host yet another FIFA event, I look forward to the support from the whole country in making this tournament a rousing success. Our Indian women's team will be playing for the first time at a FIFA tournament. It is a proud moment for the nation and we will provide all support to ensure its success”.

Mr Praful Patel, LOC Chairman and FIFA Council Member, added: “The announcement of the match schedule is an important moment on the road to the tournament as we not only know which cities will host what number of matches, but fans too can start saving the dates for the coming November. I am confident that the five Official Host Cities will do a wonderful job hosting the best young footballers in this important tournament.”

Roberto Grassi, Head of Youth Tournaments at FIFA, said: “With 5 host cities and 16 teams playing across 32 matches, the stage is set for the rising stars FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup India 2020. With tournament preparations well underway and approaching its final stages, we are excited to work closely with the LOC to bring the tournament to life and we are confident that India will deliver a truly spectacular FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup later this year, as well as providing the players with a platform to perform at their highest level.”

Group stage matches for the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup India 2020™ will take place across four venues at Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati and Kolkata with the knockout stages taking place in four venues (Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati and Navi Mumbai). The winners will lift the trophy at the Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on 21 November.

Taking place from the 2-21 November 2020, key dates for FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup India 2020™ include:

• Opening match – 2 November
• Quarter-final – 12 and 13 November
• Semi-final – 17 November
• 3rd/4th place play-off & Final – 21 November

(This press release was first published on FIFA.com)