U.S. U-17 men’s national team learns 2019 World Cup group

The U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team has learned its group stage opponents for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup. The U.S. was drawn in Group D and will face Japan, the Netherlands, and Senegal.

The U.S. qualified for the World Cup after finishing second in the CONCACAF Championship. The U.S. lost the final 2-1 (a.e.t) to Mexico. The 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup will take place in Brazil from October 26 to November 17.

The U.S. will open play against Senegal on October 27, then face Japan on October 30, and conclude the group stage against the Netherlands on November 2.

The U.S. is led by Swiss coach Raphael Wicky, who was appointed in March shortly before the 2019 U-17 CONCACAF Championship. Wicky previously worked for Swiss FC Basel from 2013-2018. During that time he managed the club’s U-18 (2013-2016), U-21 (2016-2017), and senior team (2017-2018).

Wicky’s team is expected to be headlined by star attackers Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund), Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez (Seattle Sounders), and Griffin Yow (D.C. United).The team’s best result at the U-17 World Cup came in 1999 when it finished 4th.

How far will the U.S. be able to advance at the U-17 World Cup?