Dubai: Organisers of the upcoming Fifa Under-17 World Cup in the UAE have announced that all remaining tickets will be made available to fans for free.
The move is in line with the vision of Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Chairman of the General Authority of Youth and Sports and Chairman of the U-17 World Cup’s Higher Local Organising Committee.
So as to reach out to the future generations of football fanatics in the UAE, tickets will be distributed to young fans in each emirate so they can cheer on the world’s best young players from October 17 to November 8.
Tickets are available on a first come first serve basis at no cost at all six host venues on match days. Fans have the chance to get their complimentary tickets from Monday from selected Hallmark stores across the UAE — at Marina Mall (Abu Dhabi), Al Jimi Mall (Al Ain), Manar Mall (Ras Al Khaimah), City Centre Mall (Fujairah), Sahara Mall (Sharjah) and The Dubai Mall (Dubai).
Tickets are also available online at www.fifa.com/u17worldcup and will be at the official Fifa U-17 World Cup Fan Zone on the East Plaza of Abu Dhabi Corniche from October 17.
Shaikh Nahyan said: “The Fifa Under-17 World Cup will be a wonderful festival of football, showcasing the world’s very best young players in the largest football event in the history of the UAE.
“It is an event that will inspire young people and it is so important that we work closely with the venue organising committees [to give] as many fans as possible the chance to watch the action live in the stadiums.
“That is why the venue organising committees have taken the step to offer all fans in the UAE the chance to get their hands on a match ticket. This is one of the most popular youth tournaments in the world and our priority is to engage with the next generation of football stars to celebrate the sport and witness the rise of tomorrow’s legends from the UAE and all of the qualifying nations competing.”
The Fifa Under-17 World Cup has been the birthplace of many of today’s football stars, including Ronaldinho, Alessandro del Piero, Neymar, Cesc Fabregas, Iker Casillas and Gianluigi Buffon, all of whom started their international careers in the tournament.
Shaikh Nahyan stressed the importance of the venue organising committees’ role in making this event accessible to everyone, in line with the Local Organising Committee’s vision of staging an unforgettable tournament experience for teams, families and all of the UAE’s football communities.
“I am optimistic that this event will not only be a fantastic celebration of football in the emirates, but that it will also leave a great legacy behind for tomorrow’s generation. The ambition amongst the young players competing in this tournament is thrilling to watch and we hope that young fans all around the UAE will be inspired to get involved in football themselves as a result,” Shaikh Nahyan added.
