FIFA U-17 World Cup

Outsiders Switzerland stunned everyone on their maiden appearance at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, beating the best sides on the planet to secure the country’s first world crown.

'Three is a magic number' goes the old song and FIFA U-17 World Cup Korea 2007 winners Nigeria are unlikely to disagree. The tournament has now been held three times on Asian soil and, having scaled the heights at China 1985 and Japan 1993, the Africans will now leave the continent with their third global crown.

In the build-up to the FIFA U-17 World Championship Peru 2005, the names of all the usual suspects were being proffered as favourites. The likes of Brazil, Uruguay, Ghana and the Netherlands kept cropping up, but very few observers saw fit to mention Mexico. Yet right from their opening match when they convincingly saw off a Uruguay side so dominant in the South American qualifiers (2-0), the Tricolores looked the finished article at this level.

Brazil claimed their third crown in the past four editions of the U-17 tournament with a mixture of the same ingredients that have seen them re-emerge as the dominant footballing nation at senior level: steely defence, physical endurance, technical proficiency and the one thing they can always rely on - audacious skill.

Although France had only appeared once before at the FIFA U-17 World Championship, in Canada back in 1987 when they finished sixth, the current crop of French youngsters arrived in the Caribbean determined to emulate their illustrious elders' winning ways at France '98 and Euro 2000.

Carlos César's Brazil side eventually retained the title they had first won two years earlier in Egypt, even if New Zealand '99 proved to be much more of a struggle, especially in the first round.

Brazil arrived in Egypt intent on winning the one FIFA trophy that had always eluded them in the past. Carlos César was appointed coach to that aim, and he set about building a team around a mouth-watering midfield quartet of Abel, Matuzalem, Fabio Pinto and Ronaldinho Gaúcho.

By 1995 and the end of this FIFA U-17 World Championship, Ghana's unequalled record of three Final appearances and two wins had made them the team to beat in this age group. Samuel H. Arday's side had the physical and technical edge over all the other sides in Ecuador.

In an all-African showdown in Asia, Nigeria overcame Ghana in the Final to take the laurels at Japan '93. The Golden Eaglets stood out from start to finish, their outstanding physique, impeccable sense of organisation and progressive tactics combining to make them the most feared team in the tournament.

Ghana's first-ever FIFA U-17 World Championship title was richly deserved. Able to call on just the right blend of individual talent and team spirit, the Ghanaians were never afraid to take the initiative and were ultimately rewarded for their enterprising approach.

In a tournament full of surprises, Saudi Arabia's solid organisation, excellent discipline and clear game plan proved decisive as they lifted the U-16 world crown for the very first time.

The USSR were head-and-shoulders above the rest at the FIFA World U-16 Championship Canada 1987. Better prepared than their rivals both physically and mentally, they eased their way through the group phase with a draw against holders Nigeria, a 4-2 trouncing of South American champions Bolivia and a 7-0 thrashing of CONCACAF kings Mexico.