The stage is set for the start of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019.
The European country is hosting a FIFA tournament for the very first time and it is sure to be quite an occasion, given the competition’s reputation for nurturing stars of the future.
With just a few hours to go before the ball starts rolling back and forth across Poland.
The tournament’s reigning champions are England, failed to claim one of the five qualification berths, which means that they will be handing the trophy over to a new owner come 15 June.
The Flying Eagles of Nigeria will attempt to win to win for the first time after getting close twice. Portugal are European champions and pose a significant goal threat thanks to a potent attack and supporting cast.
Argentina, the most successful side in the competition’s history with six titles, will be hoping to make the most of the absence of five-time winners Brazil for the second time running and add another trophy to their collection.
Mali are aiming to go two steps further and top the podium at last, while France will be looking to keep the good times rolling in French football and claim another piece of silverware.
Did you know?
631 of the players who have graced the U-20 world finals have then gone on to play at the FIFA World Cup. Fourteen of them have won both competitions.
Argentina’s Javier Saviola is the tournament’s all-time leading scorer with 11 goals.
A total of 91 countries have appeared at the U-20 World Cup.
