FIFA Under-17 World Cup | India v/s USA, Preview: Hosts set to make debut as history beckons

Football minnows India stand on the cusp of history as the hosts are set to make their debut in a FIFA event against a formidable USA in a group match of the U-17 World Cup, which begins in New Delhi on Friday. India qualified automatically for the event as hosts.

They have prepared well with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) sending the players for training tours in Europe and a tournament in Mexico but the home side are the clear underdogs. Man to man, USA are clearly the better team in the Group A match at the refurbished Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

Most of the American players ply their trade in Major League Soccer youth teams and a couple of them are set to play in top European clubs as well. India would enjoy the home advantage and captain Amarjit Singh and his team-mates have promised to be competitive at the showpiece event.

The feat of playing in India’s first-ever FIFA tournament should spur them to bring out their best and deliver something worthy of a host country. They will also be the first Indian players to feature in any World Cup. More than that, odds are heavily against India on Friday as …read more