The path to the 2026/27 UEFA European Under-17 Championship began today with the completion of the frist qualifying round draw. this competition not only determines which European nations will compete for the U-17 title, but also serves as a key qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA U-17 World Cup [[1]]. The fourteen qualifying groups, detailed below, will see matches played between September 2026 and March 2027, marking the start of a year-long journey for these young footballers.
UEFA U-17 Championship 2026/27 Qualifying Draw Revealed
The draw for the first round of the UEFA U-17 Championship 2026/27 qualifying stage has been completed, setting the path for Europe’s rising stars as they compete for a place in the tournament proper. The competition serves as a crucial development platform for young players aiming to make their mark on the international stage.
Here’s a look at the matchups:
- Group 1: Faroe Islands, Georgia, Israel, North Macedonia
- Group 2: Andorra, Albania, Latvia, Montenegro
- Group 3: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Luxembourg
- Group 4: Belarus, Cyprus, Kazakhstan, Lithuania
- Group 5: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Malta, San Marino
- Group 6: Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Turkey
- Group 7: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Northern Ireland
- Group 8: England, Poland, Serbia, Ukraine
- Group 9: France, Hungary, Moldova, Romania
- Group 10: Germany, Liechtenstein, Netherlands, Switzerland
- Group 11: Belgium, Czech Republic, Norway, Sweden
- Group 12: Austria, Italy, Slovakia, Slovenia
- Group 13: Portugal, Gibraltar, Republic of Ireland, Wales
- Group 14: Spain, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Georgia
Matches will be played between September 2026 and March 2027, with group winners and the best runners-up advancing to the next stage of qualifying. This initial phase will provide a competitive environment for these young athletes to showcase their talent and begin their journey toward the U-17 Championship.
The full draw details are available on the UEFA website.
Further updates on the qualifying schedule and results will be provided as the competition progresses.
