News Summary:
- Mexico became the final team to qualify for the Round of 32 at the U-17 World Cup 2025.
- Meanwhile, the Indonesia U-17 National Team was eliminated, finishing 10th in the best third-placed teams ranking.
- PSSI has confirmed a comprehensive evaluation will be conducted on the team’s performance and coach Nova Arianto for future improvements.
The group stage of the U-17 World Cup 2025 officially concluded on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. A total of eight decisive matches were played to determine the remaining teams that would advance to the highly anticipated Round of 32.
In a dramatic turn of events, Mexico secured the final qualification spot for the Round of 32, after a period of anxious waiting. Their advancement was confirmed when their rival, Saudi Arabia, suffered a 0-2 defeat against Mali. Despite having identical points and goal differences with Saudi Arabia, Mexico progressed due to a superior disciplinary record, ultimately finishing 8th in the ranking of the best third-placed teams.
Adding to the tournament’s excitement, debutant nation Uganda made history by upsetting powerhouse France, thereby securing their own place in the Round of 32. Bogere’s crucial lone goal propelled Uganda to a commendable fourth position among the best third-placed teams. The East African nation earned 4 points from their group stage campaign, consisting of one victory, one draw, and one loss.
Indonesia U-17 National Team Eliminated
Unfortunately, the outcomes of the matches involving Saudi Arabia, Paraguay, and Uganda did not favor the Indonesia U-17 National Team. Coached by Nova Arianto, the Young Garuda squad was ultimately eliminated, finishing 10th in the standings for the best third-placed teams. Indonesia concluded their campaign with 3 points and a goal difference of -5, a performance that was still better than Qatar (2 points) and Costa Rica (1 point).
Despite their elimination, the Indonesia U-17 team achieved a significant milestone. In their final group match on Monday, November 10, 2025, they delivered a historic 2-1 victory over Honduras. This marked the first-ever win for the Young Garuda in the history of the U-17 World Cup, a moment of pride for Evandra Florasta and his teammates.
Qualified Teams for the U-17 World Cup 2025 Round of 32
The full list of nations advancing to the knockout stages is as follows:
1. Portugal
2. Argentina
3. Italy
4. Brazil
5. Zambia
6. Austria
7. United States
8. Ireland
9. Belgium
10. Japan
11. Senegal
12. Croatia
13. South Africa
14. Egypt
15. Venezuela
16. Switzerland
17. South Korea
18. North Korea
19. Morocco
20. Germany
21. Colombia
22. Tunisia
23. England
24. France
25. Canada
26. Uganda
27. Uzbekistan
28. Paraguay
29. Burkina Faso
30. Czech Republic
31. Mali
32. Mexico
PSSI to Evaluate Coach Nova Arianto and Team Performance
In the aftermath of the U-17 World Cup 2025 campaign, the Chairman of the National Team Body (BTN), Sumardji, confirmed that the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) will conduct a thorough evaluation of the Indonesia U-17 National Team and coach Nova Arianto’s performance. Sumardji emphasized that this evaluation is not intended negatively but is a standard procedure for all national teams, from youth to senior levels, following any major tournament.
The primary goal of this assessment is to identify areas for improvement, ensuring the sustained development and enhanced performance of the Indonesian National Team moving forward. Therefore, the evaluation will encompass not only Coach Nova Arianto’s leadership but also the overall performance of the Young Garuda squad throughout the tournament.
“After any tournament, Coach Nova, along with the coaching staff, will prepare a detailed report. This report will be the basis for our evaluation,” Sumardji explained to the media at Madya Stadium, Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday, November 12, 2025. He added, “What was done well must be acknowledged, and what was lacking must also be highlighted so that necessary improvements can be implemented. So, to reiterate, evaluation is purely for future enhancement, and it should not be interpreted otherwise.”
Sumardji, who also serves as the manager for the Indonesian National Team, reiterated that this systematic evaluation is crucial for the team’s long-term success. He also took the opportunity to commend Nova Arianto for his unwavering dedication and hard work with the Indonesia U-17 team. Despite failing to advance to the Round of 32, the Red and White team created a memorable chapter in their history by securing their inaugural victory at the U-17 World Cup against Honduras.
“Nova has been truly exceptional, and his and his assistants’ efforts are truly commendable. We must appreciate this, and Nova rightfully deserves the recognition for the achievements he has attained through years of diligent work,” Sumardji concluded.
Summary
The U-17 World Cup 2025 group stage concluded, with Mexico securing the final Round of 32 spot after Saudi Arabia’s defeat. Debutant Uganda also advanced, while the Indonesia U-17 National Team, led by coach Nova Arianto, was eliminated, finishing 10th in the best third-placed teams ranking. Despite elimination, Indonesia achieved a historic first-ever 2-1 victory against Honduras in the tournament.
Following the campaign, the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) confirmed a comprehensive evaluation of the U-17 team and Coach Nova Arianto’s performance. This standard procedure aims to identify areas for improvement and ensure the team’s sustained development. PSSI emphasized the evaluation is for future enhancement and commended Nova Arianto’s dedication.
