24th FIFA U20 World Cup: Santiago hosts draw for tournament as host cities prepare for finals

Posted : 29 May 2025

The draw ceremony for this year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup finals will take place in Santiago, the capital city of Chile, on Thursday. The event is scheduled to be held at Chilevisión’s Machasa studios at 6 p.m. Chilean time (1 p.m. Nigerian time).

Chilean journalist Javiera Naranjo will host the event. FIFA’s Director of Tournaments, Jaime Yarza, will conduct the draw, assisted by former Argentine FIFA U-20 World Cup winner and 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cup star Juan Pablo Sorín.

Nigeria is one of four African countries to have qualified for the tournament, alongside African U-20 champions South Africa, Morocco, and Egypt. All 24 participating nations have now been confirmed, with New Caledonia making its debut in the tournament scheduled for 27th September to 19th October.

Defending champions Uruguay, who defeated Italy 1–0 in the 2023 final in Buenos Aires, failed to qualify. Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Paraguay will represent South America this time.

Argentina, hosts of the 2023 edition, have won the competition six times, although they have not lifted the trophy in the past 18 years. Brazil has won it five times.

The mention of ‘Chile’ brings warm memories to Nigerians, as it was in that country, 10 years ago, that Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen announced himself to the world. He won the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer with an impressive 10 goals, and also claimed the Silver Ball as the second-best player, helping Nigeria to win its fifth FIFA U-17 World Cup title.

Chile has hosted other major tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup finals in 1962, the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship (now known as the FIFA U-20 World Cup), where Nigeria exited at the group stage, and the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, where the Falconets reached the quarterfinals.

Matches will be played in Santiago, Rancagua, Valparaíso, and Talca — all located in the central region of the country.

Qualified teams for the 2024 FIFA U-20 World Cup:

Chile, Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Korea Republic, France, Italy, Spain, Norway, Ukraine, USA, Mexico, Panama, Cuba, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, New Zealand, and New Caledonia.

24th FIFA U20 World Cup: Santiago hosts draw for tournament as host cities prepare for finals

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