The 1977 FIFA World Youth Championship was the inaugural edition of the tournament, establishing an international youth football competition under FIFA.
Key Facts
- Host country
- Tunisia
- Dates
- 27 June – 10 July 1977
- Total matches played
- 28 matches
- Final venue
- Stade El Menzah, Tunis
- Winner
- USSR U20s (via penalty shootout)
- Runner-up
- Mexico U20s
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
FIFA Vice-President Harry Cavan championed the creation of a dedicated world-level youth football championship, leading FIFA to establish the tournament and select Tunisia as the host nation for its inaugural edition in 1977.
The 1977 FIFA World Youth Championship was held in Tunisia across three cities — Tunis, Sousse, and Sfax — from 27 June to 10 July 1977. Twenty-eight matches were contested, the fewest in tournament history. The USSR U20s claimed the title by defeating Mexico U20s in a penalty shootout in the final at Stade El Menzah.
The inaugural championship established a recurring global competition for under-20 footballers under FIFA governance. The Soviet Union's victory made them the first-ever FIFA World Youth Champions, setting a precedent for future editions of a tournament that would grow significantly in scale and prestige.
Result
at Stade El Menzah, Tunis, Tunisia