FIFA U-17 World Cup Group Analysis: Measuring each group with team and player profiles

Group E

Takefusa Kubo (R) is Japan’s big star

Group E should be relatively straightforward for the favourites France and Japan, with Honduras and New Caledonia being the other two teams. New Caledonia, like India and Niger, are making their first Under-17 World Cup appearance, while France are gunning for their second Under-17 world title.

Honduras

Coach: Jose Valladares

U-17 World Cup record, best result: Debut in 2007, reached quarter-final in 2013.

Qualification for India 2017: Finished in the top four at the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship 2017.

Last appearance at FIFA Under-17 World Cup, result: 2015, group stage exit.

Key players: Carlos Mejia, Patrick Palacios

Japan

Coach: Hirofumi Yoshitake

U-17 World Cup record, best result: Debut in 1993, quarter-finalists in 1993 and 2011.

Qualification for India 2017: Finished in the top four at the AFC Under-16 Championship 2016.

Last appearance at FIFA Under-17 World Cup, result: 2013, reached last 16.

Key players: Takefusa Kubo, Hiroto Yamada

New Caledonia

Coach: Dominique Wacalie

U-17 World Cup record, best result: First appearance this year.

Qualification for India 2017: Finished runners-up at the OFC Under-17 Championship 2017.

Last appearance at FIFA under-17 World Cup, result: N/A

Key players: Paul Gope-Fenepej, Bernard Iwa

France

Coach: Lionel Rouxel

U-17 World Cup record, best result: Debut in 1987, champions in 2001.

Qualification for India 2017: Finished in the top five in the Under-17 European Championship 2017.

Last appearance at FIFA Under-17 World Cup, result: 2015, reached last 16.

Key players: Amine Gouiri, Maxence Caqueret