Two –time runners –up Nigeria will confront Ukraine, the United States of America and Qatar in the group phase of the 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Poland. The four countries have been drawn in Group D of the championship unfolding in seven cities in Poland 23rdMay – 15th June.
Today’s draw ceremony inside the Gdynia Sports Arena in Gdynia slotted host nation Poland into Group A alongside Colombia, Tahiti and Senegal, while African champions Mali will take on France, Panama and Saudi Arabia in Group E.
Group B has Mexico, Italy, Japan and Ecuador, and Honduras, New Zealand, Uruguay and Norway will make up Group C. Group F is composed of another African flag-bearer South Africa, Argentina, Portugal and Korea Republic.
Nigeria finished as runners –up at the FIFA U20 World Cup in 1989 (lost to Portugal in the final in Saudi Arabia) and in 2005 (lost to Argentina in The Netherlands), and won the bronze medals in the old Soviet Union in 1985 (when the Flying Eagles defeated the host nation on penalties in the third place match).
The Flying Eagles defeated USA in the semi finals of the 1989 finals in Saudi Arabia, when two goals by Mutiu Adepoju settled the encounter and took Nigeria to a first –ever final.
Another of Nigeria’s Group D opponents, Qatar, shocked the world in 1981, when the country reached the final of the competition in Australia, only to lose to then West Germany.
Meanwhile, the 22nd edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup kicks off in less than 90 days, and two major milestones were reached this weekend as the tournament in Poland approaches.
Grzywek, a Polish bison, was unveiled as the tournament’s Official Mascot on Saturday 23 February, while the following day the 24 participating teams discovered who they will face at the world’s most important youth tournament after the group stage draw was made at the Gdynia Arena.
FIFA legends Bebeto, who won the U-20 World Cup in 1983 and the FIFA World Cup in 1994; and Fernando Couto, who lifted the U-20 title in 1989, made the draw in front of numerous coaches and icons of Polish football.
Hosts Poland will face Colombia in the opening match on 23 May and have been drawn in the same group as Senegal – all three sides met at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ during the group stage.
“I will be here during the summer, not only to enjoy the games but also to discover the culture of Poland,” said FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura. “The FIFA U-20 World Cup is a way for young players to demonstrate their talents and it is the second oldest FIFA competition, watched by more than 13 million people. Tickets are very affordable, so we hope for packed stadiums in the six host cities of Poland.”
“We are pleased that FIFA have trusted in us to organise this great event,” said Zbigniew Boniek, President of the Polish Football Association. “The tournament will be a big success, made together by FIFA and the Polish FA. Everyone will have the chance to experience Polish hospitality, our openness to others, our cuisine and our fantastic fans. This tournament is organised in a special year for us as we celebrate 100 years of the Polish FA. It makes this event even more special for us.”
“The FIFA U-20 World Cup in 1983 was one of the highlights of my career,” said Bebeto. “Not only because of the matches but also because of the atmosphere, the stadiums and the whole event. As a country with a great footballing history and tradition, Poland will undoubtedly stage a fantastic tournament.”
“I know from personal experience that the U-20 World Cup is extremely demanding and exciting,” said Couto. “Anybody could win it. A lot of teams could go a long way, including the hosts. Polish fans and visiting supporters can look forward to a spectacular competition where there will be lots of attacking football on show.”
GROUP A: Poland, Colombia, Tahiti, Senegal
GROUP B: Mexico, Italy, Japan, Ecuador
GROUP C: Honduras, New Zealand, Uruguay, Norway
GROUP D: Qatar, Nigeria, Ukraine, USA
GROUP E: Panama, Mali, France, Saudi Arabia
GROUP F: Portugal, Korea Republic, Argentina, South Africa