Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan to Co-Host 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup Final Stage

The Azerbaijan Football Federation Association (AFFA) has announced that Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan were chosen to jointly host the final stage of the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup, following a decision by the FIFA Executive Committee at their meeting on October 2.

This milestone achievement underscores the successful sports policies and dedicated support for football development by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, The Caspian Post informs via Kazakh media.

“We sincerely thank the FIFA Executive Committee members, particularly FIFA President Gianni Infantino, for their confidence and trust in our countries,” the statement added.

The 2027 tournament will be the 25th edition of the biennial FIFA U-20 World Cup, first held in 1977. It will mark a historic occasion for Azerbaijan, hosting a men’s World Cup event for the very first time. Additionally, it will be the debut appearance of Azerbaijan’s men’s national team at the final stage of any World Cup competition.

Argentina remains the most successful nation in the tournament’s history, having won six titles, followed by Brazil with five. Portugal and Serbia have each secured two championships, while Uruguay, Ghana, Spain, Russia, Germany, England, France, and Ukraine have claimed the trophy once.

Known as a premier platform for unveiling future football stars, the FIFA U-20 World Cup has long been a talent pipeline for Europe’s top clubs. The current 24th edition is being held in Chile, featuring 24 teams split into six groups, with Uruguay entering as the defending champion after their 2023 victory in Argentina.