FIFA U-17 World Cup: South Africa’s Amajimbos learn next opponents in knockouts

The Round of 32 fixtures at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ have been confirmed and South Africa now know their next challenge: a showdown with Japan.

How South Africa Got Here

A spirited group-stage campaign saw Amajimbos secure their place in the knockouts for the first time since 2015. Despite a tough draw, they held their nerve with a crucial win over Bolivia and a hard-fought draw against hosts Qatar, finishing among the best third-placed teams to advance.

Their resilience and attacking flair have earned them a spot in the Round of 32, where the stakes rise dramatically. The knockout bracket now maps out each team’s path to the final, and for South Africa, that journey begins against a technically sharp Japanese side.

What Awaits in the Knockouts

Japan, known for their quick passing and disciplined structure, will pose a stern test for the young South Africans. Kick-off details and venue allocations will be announced soon, but the clash promises to be one of the most intriguing ties of the round.

Here’s the full list of confirmed fixtures:

• Argentina vs Mexico
• Austria vs Tunisia
• Italy vs Czechia
• USA vs Morocco
• Brazil vs Paraguay
• Senegal vs Uganda
• Venezuela vs Korea DPR
• Switzerland vs Egypt
• Republic of Ireland vs Canada
• Japan vs South Africa
• Germany vs Burkina Faso
• France vs Colombia
• Zambia vs Mali
• Croatia vs Uzbekistan
• Korea Republic vs England
• Portugal vs Belgium