Mali’s Path to U17 World Cup Round of 32 Qualification
Mali’s Under-17 team is striving for a spot in the round of 32 at the 2025 U17 World Cup. Currently positioned third in Group L, Mali has garnered three points thus far in the tournament. Their journey began with a significant 3-0 victory against New Zealand, followed by a 3-0 defeat to Austria.
Mali’s Current Standings in Group L
- 1st: Austria – 6 points (+4 goal difference)
- 2nd: Saudi Arabia – 3 points (0 goal difference)
- 3rd: Mali – 3 points (0 goal difference)
- 4th: New Zealand – 0 points (-4 goal difference)
Upcoming Match and Scenarios for Qualification
Mali is set to face Saudi Arabia on November 11, 2025, at 15:45 GMT. This match is crucial for their qualification chances.
Possible Outcomes for Mali
- Win: A victory could propel Mali to the top of the group, provided Austria loses to New Zealand and Mali improves their goal difference.
- Draw: A draw may still lead to advancement if they have a superior fair play ranking compared to Saudi Arabia, or qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.
- Defeat: A loss would make qualification dependent on goal difference, as they would need to rank among the top eight third-placed teams from the 12 groups.
Mali’s ambitions hinge on this critical match. The team’s performance against Saudi Arabia will determine their fate in the tournament. Their journey in Qatar is closely watched, with fans eager to see if they can advance to the knockout stages.
