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Who do you think be crowned the new young kings of world football?
FIFA.com
One surprise name missing from the list of candidates is perennial world champions Argentina. The current holders and six-time winners of the competition will not be in Egypt to defend their title having amazingly failed to qualify. In the absence of La Albiceleste many people are now tipping eternal rivals Brazil, winners of the tournament on five occasions, to reclaim a trophy that has eluded them since UAE 2003.
The Brazilians are not the only pretenders to the vacant throne, however. Germany, victors at Australia 1981, are expected to challenge strongly in the land of the Pharaohs despite the absence of several of the youngsters who shone so brightly at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Korea 2007. Nevertheless, the Germans served notice of their strength in depth when they lifted the UEFA U-19 European Championship last year. Another European contender with large reserves of talent is Spain, who failed to impress in qualifying for the tournament but have the pedigree to go all the way, as they showed in winning the title at Nigeria 1999 and finishing U-17 runners-up in Korea two years ago.
Africa's aspirants should also be in contention. Hosts Egypt have prepared hard for the weeks ahead and will be intent on putting up a good fight in front of their fervent supporters. Continental rivals Cameroon and Ghana, both of whom boast fine track records at this level, also have designs on glory, as do Nigeria, who, unlike the Germans and Spanish, can count on several of the players that formed part of their triumphant Korea 2007 squad at U-17 level.
The likes of Czech Republic, England, Italy, Uruguay, Paraguay, USA, United Arab Emirates and Australia should also be in the mix, making the task of choosing a winner all the trickier.
One surprise name missing from the list of candidates is perennial world champions Argentina. The current holders and six-time winners of the competition will not be in Egypt to defend their title having amazingly failed to qualify. In the absence of La Albiceleste many people are now tipping eternal rivals Brazil, winners of the tournament on five occasions, to reclaim a trophy that has eluded them since UAE 2003.
The Brazilians are not the only pretenders to the vacant throne, however. Germany, victors at Australia 1981, are expected to challenge strongly in the land of the Pharaohs despite the absence of several of the youngsters who shone so brightly at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Korea 2007. Nevertheless, the Germans served notice of their strength in depth when they lifted the UEFA U-19 European Championship last year. Another European contender with large reserves of talent is Spain, who failed to impress in qualifying for the tournament but have the pedigree to go all the way, as they showed in winning the title at Nigeria 1999 and finishing U-17 runners-up in Korea two years ago.
Africa's aspirants should also be in contention. Hosts Egypt have prepared hard for the weeks ahead and will be intent on putting up a good fight in front of their fervent supporters. Continental rivals Cameroon and Ghana, both of whom boast fine track records at this level, also have designs on glory, as do Nigeria, who, unlike the Germans and Spanish, can count on several of the players that formed part of their triumphant Korea 2007 squad at U-17 level.
The likes of Czech Republic, England, Italy, Uruguay, Paraguay, USA, United Arab Emirates and Australia should also be in the mix, making the task of choosing a winner all the trickier.
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