The 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup was the 14th edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, the biennial international men's youth football championship contested by the under-17 national teams of the member associations of FIFA. It was hosted by Mexico from 18 June to 10 July 2011.[1]Mexico won the tournament after defeating Uruguay 2–0 in the final, claiming the country's second title. Mexico also became the first host nation to win the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Players born after 1 January 1994 could participate in this tournament.
Host selection
It was confirmed by the 58th FIFA Congress in Sydney, Australia that Mexico would be the host, beating other bids from the Czech Republic and Iran.[2]
The winners and runners-up from each group, as well as the best four third-placed teams, qualified for the first round of the knockout stage (round of 16).
Tie-breaking criteria
Where two or more teams end the group stage with the same number of points, their ranking is determined by the following criteria:[7]
goal difference in all group matches;
number of goals scored in all group matches;
points earned in the matches between the teams concerned;
goal difference in the matches between the teams concerned;
number of goals scored in the group matches between the teams concerned;
drawing of lots by the organising committee.
Ranking of third place teams in each group are determined by the following criteria, top four advances to the round of 16:[7]
Drawing of lots was used to determine the final positions of the United States and New Zealand, as the two teams finished level on points, goal difference, goals scored, and head-to-head record.[9]
The game was originally played on 26 June 2011 (kickoff 18:00), but was suspended after 25 minutes due to heavy downpour and lightning (with Denmark leading 1–0 on an 11th-minute goal by Viktor Fischer). Following an hour and a half delay in which the conditions did not improve, the Organising Committee for the FIFA U-17 World Cup decided to abandon the match and replay it in its entirety (starting from 0–0) the next day, 27 June 2011 (kickoff 10:00), at the same venue, Estadio Corregidora in Querétaro.[10]
In a rule to avoid potential "player burnout", all games in the knockout stage proceeded straight to penalties if tied after normal time, thus avoiding the need for 30 minutes of extra time.[11][7]