After enjoying a 2018 packed with football-related excitement and entertainment, it’s time to flip open next year’s calendar and take a glance at the adventures that await fans of the beautiful game in 2019. What is the first tournament on the agenda? Which events just cannot be missed?

FIFA.com provides you with all the key dates so that you don’t miss a single minute of a year that promises so much.

Poland: Springboard for future stars

After reigning FIFA U-20 World Cup champions England were eliminated from the 2018 UEFA European U-19 Championship, thereby losing their chance to defend the trophy in Poland, 24 teams will battle it out to eventually replace them on the throne in Lodz on 15 June. So far, 16 nations have booked their spots, and the African (2 to 17 February) and South American (17 January to 10 February) qualifiers will help to complete the field.

France welcomes the world

Now that the groups have been drawn, everything is in place for the ball to start rolling again in France. Following on from the excitement of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, the spotlight turns to the senior sides, who will be competing in the eighth edition of the prestigious competition.

Will USA successfully defend their title? Can Germany claim a third global crown and join the Stars and Stripes at the top of the all-time winners’ list? Which team will prove to be the surprise package? All will be revealed in June and July.

Peru renews an old acquaintance

The U-17 World Cup is going back to Peru! In 2005, the Peruvians played host to a memorable competition at the culmination of which Mexico were crowned champions for the first time. In 2019 they will again provide the stage for the next generation of young talents to showcase their skills before a worldwide audience. And the tournament already has some intriguing sub-plots: Tajikistan made history by reaching the final of the 2018 AFC U-16 Championship, while Solomon Islands will be competing in their first 11-a-side FIFA event.

Other important dates