UEFA postpones youth national team competitions

Avatar

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has made the decision to postpone several youth national team competitions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

UEFA, in consultation with its 55 member associations, believes that the delay will lessen the pressure on national football associations and allow for youth national team football to be preserved.

The 2019/20 Women’s Under-17 elite round and tournament has been cancelled. In the event that the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup goes ahead next year, the top three European teams will qualify.

The elite round of the 2019/20 Men’s Under-19 tournament will be played in October 2020, with the final tournament to be held in Northern Ireland. The group stage is scheduled for November 2020 and the knockout stage for March 2021.

For 2020/21 competitions, qualifying matches have been reduced and moved to next year.

The Men’s and Women’s Under-17 tournaments are still planned to be held in May of 2021, with elite rounds being cancelled.

Qualifying rounds for the Women’s and Men’s Under-19 tournaments will be played in February and March respectively.

Belarus is set to host the Women’s Under-19 tournament as scheduled in July if next year while Romania will still host the Men’s Under-19 tournament as planned also in July of 2021.

“In order to alleviate the additional operational and financial burden on national associations – caused by hygiene conditions impacting travel and accommodation, as well as testing to safeguard the health of athletes and minimize any potential risk of spreading the infection – the following decisions were made regarding UEFA youth national team competitions,” UEFA said in a statement.

Meanwhile the UEFA Youth League returned yesterday at the Colovray Sports Centre in Nyon, Switzerland.

“The UEFA Youth League – even if no spectators can attend matches this year – is an extremely important event, both for European football and for our town. We’ll be delighted if the local public are able to return to watch the competition under normal conditions in 2021,” Mayor of Nyon, Daniel Rossellat said.

The final will be held on August 25.

Matches are being played without spectators, however fans are able to stream the games for free on UEFA.tv.

Previous ArticleNext Article

Mito, Nagasaki and Chiba step up: will they prove themselves in J1 football?

Avatar
Image Credit: JLeague.co

The Meiji Yasuda J1 100-Year Vision League begins in a matter of weeks.

Mito Hollyhock, V-Varen Nagasaki and JEF United Chiba will all feature in Japan’s top flight following their second-tier campaigns last season.

Mito’s historic breakthrough and Nagasaki’s return

For Mito, it marks uncharted territory. The Ibaraki outfit have never played first-division football, having operated exclusively in J2 since their founding 26 years ago. Last year’s title, secured on goal difference after a 70-point haul, changes that.

Arata Watanabe anchored their attack despite an injury-interrupted season. He netted 13 times and created seven more. Sho Omori provided width and service from left-back, appearing in every match and registering the team’s highest totals for passes and crosses.

Nagasaki return after an eight-year absence. Their second-place finish came in their inaugural campaign at PEACE STADIUM Connected by SoftBank. Takuya Takagi, who previously guided them into J1 in 2017, regained control midway through last season. His side dropped just one match in 19 under his leadership. 

Matheus Jesus carried the attacking burden. The Brazilian struck 19 goals and was named J2 Player of the Year. His output alone accounted for much of Nagasaki’s upward trajectory.

Chiba’s journey back has taken 17 years. Once part of the J. League’s inaugural cohort in the early 1990s, relegation in 2009 began a prolonged exile. Third place in the regular season sent them into the play-offs.  A 4-3 comeback from three goals down against RB Omiya Ardija in the semi-final preceded a 1-0 victory over Tokushima Vortis in the final. Carlinhos Junior’s winner in the final capped one of the most dramatic promotion campaigns in recent J. League history.

Each club brings distinct narratives into the top flight. For Mito, Nagasaki and Chiba, survival will mean validating years of ambition, while success could redefine their place in Japanese football. Momentum from promotion campaigns will be tested when fixtures commence in early February.

Coach Education Exchange unites Football NSW and Japan FA

Avatar
Football NSW

The education program was a roaring success for the 14 coaches who made the trip, demonstrating Japan’s high-quality infrastructure and development systems from which football bodies across Australia can take inspiration. 

 

A valuable partner

The 2026 FNSW Japan Coach Education Exchange comes as the latest display of the strong connection between footballing worlds in Australia and Japan. 

14 Football NSW coaches travelled to Japan for unique insights into what makes the J-League and WE League tick. With both of these leagues being renowned for their distinct footballing identities, elite development pathways, and technical excellence, the program serves as a valuable opportunity for Football NSW to gain new ideas and know-how moving forward. 

During the visit to Japan, the coaching cohort visited several different clubs, including: 

  • Cerezo Osaka
  • Tokyo Verdy
  • JEF United Chiba
  • Urawa Red Diamonds
  • Gamba Osaka

Learning from international expertise

The trip was not, however, merely about uncovering the secrets to club or commercial success. 

Visits to the JFA Academy Sakai emphasised Japan’s commitment to creating elite pathways for talented young players across the country. They believe in nurturing players not only to be talented footballers, but to be confident leaders through their education and lodging system. 

“He or she being gifted does not always have his or her talent blossom. By providing those who have a talent with a good environment and encouraging them to make efforts, we nurture players who can shine in the world,” they explain via the JFA official website. 

Further meetings with Director of Coach Education at the JFA, Kimura Yasuhiko, as well as Head Coach of Japan’s Men’s National Team, Hajime Moriyasu, highlighted the wealth of knowledge which Australia can access during collaborations with the JFA. 

“The opportunity to meet and hear from a national team head coach operating at the highest level of international football proved both humbling and motivating, underscoring the value of global connection and shared learning in coach development,” Football NSW said via press release. 

Following the success of the 2026 FNSW Japan Coach Education Exchange, the objective should now be to transform insights into action. For Football NSW, or any other football association in Australia seeking to develop the game for current and future generations in the region, the lessons learned from international partners must be applied with real conviction and commitment.

 

Most Popular Topics

Editor Picks

Send this to a friend