Joeys learn U-17 World Cup fate

FIFA have announced Ecuador, Hungary and Nigeria as Australia's group stage opponents at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil this October.

Tristan Hammond, centre (top), in action for the Joeys Source: FFA

The Joeys learned their fate on Thursday night (AEST) in Canberra at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), where they watched FIFA's official draw as part of a team activity.

Trevor Morgan’s side qualified for the tournament as a result of their semi-final finish at the 2018 AFC U-16 Championship and will now face a tough trio in Group B.

Australia, one of Asia's four nations represented at the tournament alongside Japan, Korea Republic and Tajikistan, will first face Ecuador on October 27 (AEST), before hosting Hungary three days later and five-time champions Nigeria on November 1.

The top two teams from each group will then progress to the round of 16, along with four of the best third-placed teams.

Having failed to reach the knockout stages since 2001, Morgan hopes this Australian side can finally buck the trend, but knows the difficulty surrounding the task at hand.

"The draw has given us three very interesting opponents," Morgan said.

"One (Ecuador) is a South American opponent for our first match, and they obviously have real quality as they beat Argentina 4-1 in April.

"For Hungary it is their second appearance at a FIFA U-17 World Cup and we will have a good look at them, while Nigeria has won the tournament five times.

"Tonight's draw gives us some targets and some things to aim for, but the focus has to be on ourselves and giving our players the chance to push for a spot in the squad for Brazil and then playing the best football we can with the weapons that we have."

2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup – Joeys group stage schedule

Ecuador v Australia

Sunday 27th October

Estadio Olimpico, Goiania 

09:45 AEDT - 12:00 AEDT

LIVE on SBS and streamed live via The World Game website / app

Australia v Hungary

Wednesday 30th October 

Estadio Olimpico, Goiania

09:45 AEDT - 12:00 AEDT

LIVE on SBS and streamed live via The World Game website / app

Australia v Nigeria 

Saturday 2nd November 

Estadio Bezerrao, Brasilia 

06:45 AEDT - 09:00 AEDT

LIVE on SBS and streamed live via The World Game website / app