NEW DELHI: India is all set to host its first-ever FIFA women’s tournament when 16 teams make their way to the country for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022 this October.
After the completion of the UEFA Women’s U-17 Championship earlier this month, three European countries joined hosts India, China PR, Japan, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile and Colombia in the team line-up for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022.
There are three more spots up for grabs that will be fought for among the Member Associations of the CAF – Cameroon, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana and Morocco. The sides will be abreast of their opponents when the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022 official draw takes place in Zurich on June 24.
Germany, the winners of the UEFA Women’s U-17 Championship, and Spain, the runners-up, had already confirmed their trip to India after making it to the final. Meanwhile, France booked their spot in the tournament after defeating the Netherlands in the third-place play-off match.
While the Brazilian and Colombian sides showed their excitement about travelling to India on social media, French coach Cecile Locatelli, speaking from their team’s perspective, said, “Appearing at a World Cup is great for the players. You only have to look at the World Cup we won in 2012 – lots of the players are now representing us at the full international level. It’s a great experience, and for the staff and the coaches, it’s a very good competition to learn how to help young players progress.”
Canadian player Clare Logan also shared her excitement about playing in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022, “We’re all overjoyed to have qualified. We’ll continue to work hard both on and off the pitch for the incredible opportunity that is playing at a FIFA World Cup.”
The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022, to be hosted in Bhubaneswar, Goa and Navi Mumbai, will be played from October 11-30, 2022. (ANI)