Top youth footballers kick off Arab Cup U-17 in Algeria

ARAB NEWS: The 2022 Arab Cup U-17 is set to kick off today in Algeria with two matches, marking the fourth edition of the competition.

Organized by the Algerian Football Federation and the Union of Arab Football Associations, the 16-team tournament will run until Sept. 8 at two stadiums in the Oran province of the country.

Hosts Algeria play against Palestine at Abdelkerim Kerroum Stadium, with fellow group teams Sudan taking on the UAE at Mohamed Bensaid Stadium, also on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia have been placed in Group D alongside Egypt, Syria and Lebanon.

Group B is made up of Tunisia, Libya, Oman and Yemen, while Group C sees Morocco, Iraq, Comoros and Mauritania facing off.

Saudi Arabia hosted, and won, the first edition of the competition in 2011, defeating Syria 4-3 in the final.

A year later, the tournament was held in Tunisia, with the home nation emerging triumphant after overcoming Iraq 3-0 in the final.

In 2014 in Qatar, Iraq defeated Saudi Arabia 2-0 to take the crown.