The 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, the 24th edition of the global youth tournament, will be held in Chile from 27 September to 19 October 2025. This is Chile’s second time hosting, after 1987. A total of 24 teams from all six FIFA confederations will compete across four host cities—Santiago, Valparaíso, Rancagua, and Talca. The format features six groups of four, with the top two teams plus the four best third-placed sides advancing to the Round of 16. The official emblem, launched in February 2025, reflects Chile’s cultural and natural heritage, while the mascot, “Vito” the viscacha, was revealed in May. Notably, defending champions Uruguay failed to qualify, continuing the trend of previous winners missing the next edition. The event is expected to boost youth football development and international exposure for Chile.
October 2025 Tournament Format
The tournament format specifically for October 2025 during the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile:
1–5 October: End of Group Stage
• Matches continue to complete the 6 groups (A–F).
• Each team finishes its 3 group matches.
• By 5 October, all standings are finalized.
• Teams advancing: Top 2 from each group (12 teams) + 4 best third-placed teams (4 teams) = 16 total.
7–9 October: Round of 16
• 16 teams play knockout matches (single elimination).
• Winners progress to the Quarter-finals, losers are eliminated.
• If tied → extra time + penalties.
11–12 October: Quarter-finals
• 8 teams compete in 4 matches.
• Winners advance to the Semi-finals.
15 October: Semi-finals
• 4 teams remain.
• Winners advance to the Final, losers go to the Third-place Playoff.
18 October: Third-place Playoff
• The 2 Semi-final losers face off.
19 October: Final
• The 2 Semi-final winners play for the championship trophy.
October 2025 Match Dates
The full list of match dates in October 2025 for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile:
Group Stage
• 1 October – 4 matches
• 2 October – 4 matches
• 3 October – 4 matches
• 4 October – 4 matches
• 5 October – 4 matches
(→ Group stage ends on 5 October)
Round of 16
• 7 October – 2 matches
• 8 October – 4 matches
• 9 October – 2 matches
Quarter-finals
• 11 October – 2 matches
• 12 October – 2 matches
Semi-finals
• 15 October – 2 matches
Third-place Playoff
• 18 October – 1 match
Final
• 19 October – 1 match
October 2025 Match Fixtures – Detailed Schedule
A detailed breakdown of the match fixtures in October 2025 for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, covering group stage through to the final:
Group Stage (Oct 1–5)
Wednesday, October 1
• Italy vs Cuba — 16:00 — Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander, Valparaíso
• Spain vs Mexico — 16:00 — Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, Santiago
• Argentina vs Australia — 19:00 — Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander, Valparaíso
• Brazil vs Morocco — 19:00 — Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, Santiago
Thursday, October 2
• Colombia vs Norway — 16:00 — Estadio Fiscal, Talca
• USA vs France — 16:00 — Estadio El Teniente, Rancagua
• Nigeria vs Saudi Arabia — 19:00 — Estadio Fiscal, Talca
• South Africa vs New Caledonia — 19:00 — Estadio El Teniente, Rancagua
Friday, October 3
• Panama vs South Korea — 16:00 — Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander, Valparaíso
• Ukraine vs Paraguay — 16:00 — Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, Santiago
• Egypt vs Chile — 19:00 — Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, Santiago
• New Zealand vs Japan — 19:00 — Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander, Valparaíso
Venue Details: Hosts of the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup
Chile finalized the following four stadiums to host matches across the tournament :
1. Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos — Santiago
• Capacity: Approximately 48,000 spectators.
• This is Chile’s premier stadium and the largest among the venues, also where the emblem for the tournament was unveiled.
2. Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander (Playa Ancha) — Valparaíso
• Capacity: Around 20,575 seats.
• Originally opened in 1931, renovated in 2014, and home to the local club Santiago Wanderers.
3. Estadio El Teniente — Rancagua
• Capacity: Approximately 14,000 spectators.
• A historic venue that hosted matches during the 1962 FIFA World Cup and Copa América 2015.
4. Estadio Fiscal — Talca
• Capacity: Around 16,000 fans .
Importance of 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup (Chile) in October:
The importance of October in the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup (Chile):
1. Conclusion of Group Stage
• The final group-stage matches (1–5 October) decide which 16 teams advance.
• These matches are often the most tense and decisive, since many teams fight for qualification until the very last day.
2. Knockout Stage Begins
• From 7 October onward, the tournament enters the Round of 16.
• Every match is win or go home — extra time and penalties become decisive factors.
• This stage separates the contenders from the rest.
3. High-Stakes Matches
• Quarter-finals (11–12 Oct) and Semi-finals (15 Oct) take place in October.
• These matches showcase the best youth talents on the world stage, often future football stars.
4. Climax of the Tournament
• October hosts both the Third-place Playoff (18 Oct) and the Final (19 Oct) in Santiago’s Estadio Nacional.
• The world champion will be crowned in October, making it the defining month of the tournament.
5. Cultural & Sporting Impact
• Chile gains global spotlight throughout October, with fans, scouts, and media arriving for the most decisive games.
• The matches bring huge tourism, economic activity, and international exposure for the host cities.
Conclusion
October 2025 will be the defining month of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, as the tournament shifts from the excitement of the group stage into the intensity of knockout football. With 36 matches packed into the month, October delivers the decisive moments — from last-chance group qualifiers to the Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and ultimately the grand finale in Santiago. Beyond the results, October represents a global showcase of rising football talent, many of whom will shape the future of the sport. For Chile, it is not only a sporting spectacle but also a moment of cultural pride, international recognition, and youth football legacy.
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