The journey of the Italy U17s, reigning European champions, will start again from the second round of the European qualifiers. In Nyon, the Azzurrini, placed in the first group of the A League next to Belgium, Czech Republic, France, England, Portugal and Spain, were drawn in Group A1 together with Ukraine, Slovakia and Croatia, who will host the mini-tournament from March 19th to 25th.

© UEFA

‘It is a very balanced group,’ emphasises coach Massimiliano Favo. 'We cannot afford any mistakes, because, with the change in regulations, only the first-placed team will progress to the final phase. Croatia, in addition to traditionally being a very good team, will have the advantage of playing at home, while Ukraine and Slovakia should absolutely not be underestimated, because they can give us a hard time. Having said that, they are the ones who have to worry about us, because we are Italy and we want to qualify for the European Championship, as well as the World Cup. We have to do it for all those who support the Azzurrini and for the Federation, which has invested and continues to invest in us, especially the boys. We have all the qualities to do well.

The seven group winners will go to Albania, the host country, for the finals scheduled from 19 May to 1 June. The A-League in the second round of the European qualifiers will also serve as a qualifying tournament for the World Cup, scheduled to take place in Qatar in 2025.

UEFA Under-17 Championship | Round 2

League A

Group A1: Italy (holders), Croatia, Ukraine, Slovakia

Group A2: Spain, Austria, Germany, Norway

Group A3: France, Greece, Denmark, Finland

Group A4: Portugal, Serbia, Netherlands, Hungary

Group A5: Czechia, Switzerland, Türkiye, Sweden

Group A6: Belgium, Poland, Iceland, Republic of Ireland

Group A7: England, Northern Ireland, Slovenia, Israel

A couple of hours earlier, also in Nyon, the draw for the first round of the European qualifiers for next season also took place. Italy was placed once again in the first tier, this time alongside Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Croatia, France, Greece, England, Northern Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Spain and Switzerland, and was placed in Group 1 with Ukraine, Montenegro and Estonia, which will host the mini-tournament from 1 to 7 October, in addition to the final phase of the European Championship.

UEFA Under-17 Championship 2025/2026 | Round 1

Group 1: Italy, Ukraine, Montenegro, Estonia (finals hosts)

Group 2: Czechia, Hungary, North Macedonia, Gibraltar

Group 3: England, Sweden, Lithuania, Scotland

Group 4: Spain, Denmark, Latvia, Andorra

Group 5: Belgium, Norway, Belarus, Moldova

Group 6: Austria, Republic of Ireland, Kosovo, Faroe Islands

Group 7: Serbia, Türkiye, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Malta

Group 8: Croatia, Netherlands, Albania, Kazakhstan

Group 9: France, Israel, Romania, Azerbaijan

Group 10: Switzerland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, San Marino

Group 11: Northern Ireland, Finland, Cyprus, Armenia

Group 12: Portugal, Slovenia, Wales, Liechtenstein

Group 13: Poland, Germany, Luxembourg

Group 14: Greece, Iceland, Georgia