The FIFA U-17 World Cup kicks off on Friday morning with Mali and Uzbekistan in Indonesia as they square off in the first match of Group B play. Mali have struggled in their last few games ahead of the World Cup. The team lost their last two matches, with the first being a 3–1 loss to Spain and the second being a 2–0 loss to Brazil.
Lassan N’Diaye scored the team’s only goal against Spain in the 74th minute, but Spain were already 3-0 up so Mali could not get any closer. Against Brazil, the teams played a scoreless first half, but Brazil got on the board with the first goal in the 55th minute. The final goal was scored in the 88th minute of the game.
Uzbekistan’s last match before the group stage also ended in defeat, narrowly beating South Korea 1-0 in June. Before losing to South Korea, Uzbekistan won 2-0 over Saudi Arabia. In the victory, the first goal was scored when the ball bounced off a Saudi Arabian defender into an own goal in the 79th minute.
Dilshod Abdullaev scored five minutes later for Uzbekistan, assisted by Amirbek Saidov, to secure victory. The team will look to Abdullaev to provide the same level of offensive power in its run to the World Cup.
Where to watch U17 World Cup: TV channels, live streaming
| Country | TV + streaming |
|---|---|
| United States | fubo, Fox Soccer Plus, FS1, FS2, Fox Deportes |
| United Kingdom | FIFA+ |
| Canada | TSN, RDS |
| Argentina | TyC Sports |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport |
| International | FIFA+ |
In the United States, the U17 World Cup will be available to watch live on the FOX network, with FS1, FS2, Fox Deportes and Fox Soccer Plus, Telemundo and Universo showing games,