Mexico was once again drawn into a tough group for the 2026 U17 World Cup. For a second consecutive year, Mexico being seeded didn’t pay off in the rivals, as just like in 2025, they will have a tougher group that normal. Mexico was drawn in Group K, where they will face off against Romania, Cameroon and Venezuela. The larger field of 48 teams for U17 World Cup has benefited Mexico as in 2025 they were grouped against South Korea, Ivory Coast and Switzerland. Mexico qualified as the last of the four
best third place teams after only getting three points and going thru on goal difference.
Mexico was one of 12 seeded teams for the 48 team World Cup to be played once again in Qatar. Mexico was drawn in Group K where they will face Romania, Cameroon and Venezuela. Like in 2025, Mexico was placed in one of the the tougher groups of the World Cup, with not a single “easy” teams. While Venezuela was the last team qualified in CONMEBOL to the U17 World Cup after defeating Bolivia, they recently won the Canteras de America tournament hosted by Newell’s Old Boys. They did it for a second consecutive time but worse yet, they did it by defeating Mexico by a 2-1 score. Romania will be making their U17 World Cup debut after qualifying in a group over current U17 World Cup title (and soccer powerhouse) Portugal. That being said not only as U17 is it a different team from the 2025 team but they also lost all three matches in their qualifying group, even against Iceland. Meanwhile Cameroon doesn’t seem as the strongest team in Africa but they are always a tough side. While Mexico made it out of the group stage in 2025 based on their victory against Ivory Coast, they struggled in the match physically. African teams are always a thorn against Mexico especially in youth World Cups.
Mexico will make their debut in the U17 World Cup against Romania on November 21st. They will face off against Cameroon on November 24 before closing out their group stage with Venezuela on November 27th. While the team hadn’t showed great performances, they improved their level of play with their run to a 2nd place finish in the Canteras de America tournament in Argentina. If they work hard, Mexico should be able to once again make it thru to the knockout rounds but it might be up in the air, just like it was in 2025.
