Internet Desk: India witnessed probably their biggest footballing event so far, as the official draw of the FIFA U17 World Cup was held at the business capital of India, Mumbai. International celebrities like Kanu, Esteban Cambiasso, PV Sindhu and Sunil Chhetri were the centre of attractions and they were the ones who dictated the draw to perfection.
Hosts India will kick-start their maiden FIFA Under-17 World Cup 2017 campaign against the USA on October 6 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. At the official draw held at Mumbai on Friday, India were drawn with USA, Colombia and Ghana in Group A.
India will next face Colombia (October 9) and then Ghana (October 12) in their final group fixture.
Meanwhile, there are some great news for the football fans in Kolkata as England, Mexico, Chile and Iraq like superpowers of world football will play at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
A total of 24 nations will vie for the silverware at the event that starts from October 6 with the Colombia facing two-time champion Ghana in the tournament opener in the capital.
Three-time champions Brazil have been drawn in Group D alongside DPR Korea, Niger and Spain. On the other hand, 2001 champion France will lock horns with New Caledonia on October 8 in Guwahati in their first game.
The three-week spectacle — which begins in New Delhi on October 6 and will visit five other cities — will not just mark India’s debut at the Under-17 World Cup; it will see India make its maiden appearance at any FIFA tournament. The same holds true for two other nations — Niger and New Caledonia. This will also be the first time that India have been playing hosts to a major FIFA event.
Five-time champions Nigeria – the most successful team at the event – have failed to qualify for the 2017 edition. India would play their preliminary Group A league games in Delhi. The other centres to host matches in the October 6- 28 tournament are Mumbai, Kolkata (which will host the final), Kochi, Guwahati and Goa.