The 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup was the 14th edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, the biennial international men's youth football championship contested by the under-17 national teams of the member associations of FIFA. It was hosted by Mexico from 18 June to 10 July 2011. Mexico won the tournament after defeating Uruguay 2âÂÂ0 in the final, claiming the country's second title. Mexico also became the first host nation to win the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Players born after 1 January 1994 could participate in this tournament.
It was confirmed by the 58th FIFA Congress in Sydney, Australia that Mexico would be the host, beating other bids from the Czech Republic and Iran.
After having won the right to host the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup, Femexfut president, Justino Compéan, stated during an interview from Sydney, Australia, that the Estadio Corona, in Torreón, would be one of the venues, arguing that recently built or invested stadia would have a major preference. He also mentioned Monterrey, Ciudad Juárez, Querétaro, Tijuana, Pachuca and Aguascalientes as other possible venues.
The Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, having previously hosted major events such as 1970 and 1986 FIFA World Cup, 1983 FIFA World Youth Championship, 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup and 1968 Summer Olympics Football final matches, hosted the tournament's third place match and final.
In addition to host nation Mexico, 23 nations qualified from six separate continental competitions.
The draw for the group stage took place on 17 May 2011 at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México's Sala Nezahualcóyotl concert Hall. The seeding was as follows:
The winners and runners-up from each group, as well as the best four third-placed teams, qualified for the first round of the knockout stage (round of 16).
Where two or more teams end the group stage with the same number of points, their ranking is determined by the following criteria:
Ranking of third place teams in each group are determined by the following criteria, top four advances to the round of 16:
All kick-off times are local ().
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Drawing of lots was used to determine the final positions of the United States and New Zealand, as the two teams finished level on points, goal difference, goals scored, and head-to-head record.
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In a rule to avoid potential "player burnout", all games in the knockout stage proceeded straight to penalties if tied after normal time, thus avoiding the need for 30 minutes of extra time.