Europe news
fromIrish Independent
6 days agoIreland drawn with Brazil at U-17 World Cup in Qatar
Ireland will play Brazil, Tanzania, and Costa Rica in the U-17 World Cup group stage in Qatar, opening against Brazil on November 21.
As such, journalist Albert Fernandez of GOL reports that Barcelona are closely monitoring 17-year-old Argentine striker Thomas de Martis. The centre-forward plies his trade for Lanus in Argentina and is currently a part of the Albiceleste national team at the U-17 World Cup underway in Qatar. De Martis has made two senior appearances for Lanus, while playing 19 games for their reserve team, in which he has scored two goals.
The tournament has become FIFA's guinea pig as it becomes the first to try out the 48-team format the one that will be on show at the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico next year. It's also the start of an annual cycle of these under-17 tournaments, and the first of five consecutive tournaments to be played in Qatar.