Squad Stability Wins Tournaments: What FIFA's U-17 World Cup Data Tells Every Grassroots Club

The Most Overlooked Competitive Advantage in Youth Football

FIFA TDS data from Qatar 2025: semi-finalists changed just 23.8% of their squad. Group-stage exits changed 34.6%.

Portugal won the 2025 U-17 World Cup with a squad built on stability, domestically developed players and a coaching team in place for years.

Source: FIFA Talent Development Scheme Insights — FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025