Match schedule and host cities announced for FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2020

Hiten Shukla

The stage is set for the future stars of women’s football as the match schedule and host cities for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2020™ were unveiled by FIFA and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) today, alongside the Official Slogan for the tournament.

1.Five host cities across India to host the 32 matches involving 16 of the world’s best youth teams in women’s football

2.Kick Off The Dream™ unveiled as Official Slogan

3.Tournament to showcase future stars of the women’s game from 2-21 November 2020

With only 254 days to go until the action gets underway, TranStadia Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Kolkata and Navi Mumbai have been confirmed as the five host cities for the tournament. Sixteen teams featuring the rising stars of women’s football will compete across 32 matches to lift the coveted trophy in Navi Mumbai on 21 November.

Following the launch of the Official Emblem in November 2019, the unveiling of the five host cities and the match schedule marks a major milestone for the tournament as fans in the host cities and across India prepare to welcome the future stars and heroes of women’s football.

In another significant announcement, the Official Slogan – Kick Off The Dream™ – was also unveiled at a press conference in Delhi today.Building on the passion and excitement generated by last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in France, as well as the legacy left by the FIFA U-17 World Cup™ that was hosted by India in 2017, Kick Off The Dream represents a powerful message that aims to encourage and inspire both men and women in India and beyond to pursue their dreams and help to kick start a new era of growth for women’s football in the country and around the world.

Sarai Bareman, FIFA Chief Women’s Football Officer, said: “Today’s announcement of the match schedule, host cities and Official Slogan for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2020 represents a major moment for the tournament and football fans across India and around the world.

“As we look to build on the incredible success of last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, as well as the legacy left by the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2017, the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India provides an exciting opportunity, not just for the development of women’s football, but for fans across India and worldwide to watch the next superstars of the women’s game.

“As the official tournament slogan, Kick Off The Dream perfectly captures the aspirational and empowering message for the tournament as we look to grow women’s football and use the tournament as a platform to inspire girls of all ages across India and around the world.”

Honourable Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs (I/C) Shri Kiren Rijiju said: “It gives me immense pleasure to congratulate the five cities hosting the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2020. As India prepares to host yet another FIFA event, I look forward to the support from the whole country in making this tournament a rousing success. Our Indian U-17 women’s team will be playing in a FIFA tournament for the first time. It is a proud moment for the nation and we will provide all possible support to ensure its success.”

Mr Praful Patel, LOC Chairman and FIFA Council member, added: “The announcement of the match schedule is an important moment on the road to the tournament as we not only know which cities will host what number of matches, but fans too can start saving the dates for this November. I am confident that the five host cities will do a wonderful job hosting the best young footballers in this important tournament.”

Roberto Grassi, FIFA Head of Youth Tournaments, said: “With five host cities and 16 teams playing across 32 matches, the stage is set for the rising stars at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2020. Tournament preparations are well underway and approaching their final stages, and we are excited to work closely with the LOC to bring the tournament to life. We are confident that India will deliver a truly spectacular FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup later this year, while providing the players with a platform to perform at their highest level.”

Group-stage matches will be played in four host cities (TranStadia Stadium Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati and Kolkata), with the knockout stages also taking place in four cities (TranStadia Stadium In Ahmedabad Gujarat, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata and Navi Mumbai). The winners will lift the trophy at the Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on 21 November.

The key dates for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2020 include:

Opening match – 2 November

Quarter-finals – 12 and 13 November

Semi-finals – 17 November

3rd/4th-place play-off & final – 21 November