New Zealand will face two-time winners Portugal, African bronze mediallists Gambia and feared North American contenders Mexico in Group C of the FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup in Canada this July.
The Oceania champions will open their maiden FIFA Youth World Championship campaign against 1989 and 1991 champions and 1995 bronze medialists Portugal on July 2 before a July 5 date with Gambia, also in Toronto.
Stu Jacobs’ side will then relocate to Edmonton for their final group stage match against Mexico who are one of the favoured teams for Canada after winning the last FIFA U-17 World Championship in Peru in 2005.
“Whatever group we were going to be in was going to be tough but we’re delighted with this,” Jacobs said from Toronto’s Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex where he attended Saturday’s (Sunday morning NZT) official draw with NZ Soccer High Performance Manager Ricki Herbert.
Story courtesy of NZS Media…