The 2026 UEFA European Under-17 Championship finals concluded in Estonia on June 7, with Italy emerging victorious over BelgiumTeam·Belgium in a tense penalty shootout. The final, held at Tallinn's Lilleküla staadion (also known as A. Le Coq Arena), saw the two sides locked at 1-1 after regular time, before Italy ultimately prevailed to claim the coveted youth title.
Estonia hosted the U17 EURO for the first time, welcoming eight of Europe's brightest young footballing nations from May 25 to June 7. Matches were contested across four venues: Lilleküla staadion, Kadriorg Stadium, and Kalev Central Stadium in Tallinn, alongside Rakvere City Stadium, providing a picturesque backdrop for the tournament.
The journey to the final began with a rigorous two-round qualification process for seven of the participating teams, while host nation Estonia automatically secured their spot. The draw, conducted on April 9, 2026, at Lilleküla staadion, set the stage for the group phase.
Group A featured Estonia, BelgiumTeam·Belgium, CroatiaTeam·Croatia, and Spain, with BelgiumTeam·Belgium and Spain ultimately progressing to the semi-finals. Group B saw Montenegro, France, Italy, and DenmarkTeam·Denmark battle it out, from which Italy and France advanced. The semi-final clashes then saw BelgiumTeam·Belgium and Italy secure their places in the championship decider.
For the host nation, Estonia, the tournament proved to be a challenging experience. Despite a determined effort, they exited in the group stage, suffering losses to BelgiumTeam·Belgium (0-1), Spain (1-4), and CroatiaTeam·Croatia (1-3). Their participation, however, marked a significant milestone for Estonian football.
Individual brilliance was also on display throughout the competition. Among the top goal scorers, each netting two goals, were Enzo AlvesPlayer·Enzo Alves of Spain, Omran Khattar and Mikkel BroPlayer·Mikkel Bro Hansen from DenmarkTeam·Denmark, and Nik Škafar ŽuzicPlayer·Nik Škafar Žuzic of CroatiaTeam·Croatia, showcasing the attacking talent present in the tournament.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin welcomed participants to Estonia, highlighting the country as a "wonderful setting" and emphasizing the U17 EURO as where "international journeys begin" for young players. He also extended his gratitude to the Estonian Football Association for their dedication in hosting the event. Aivar Pohlak, President of the Estonian Football Association, echoed these sentiments, expressing his pleasure in welcoming the teams and calling the hosting "an honour and a responsibility."
Prior to the tournament, Spain U17 Team Coach Sergio GarciaCoach·Sergio Garcia noted his squad included "several strong players" and that everyone would "give their all." He also commented on the local climate, stating, "In the cold you play better; in the heat it's always a bit more difficult. Hopefully the rain won't affect us too much. We prefer playing in cool weather rather than hot weather." Henri AnierPlayer·Henri Anier, Ambassador of the UEFA Under-17 Championship finals and a former Estonia striker, encouraged young Estonian players to "give their maximum, fight fully for Estonia and enjoy the whole process, because this could be the beginning of something truly great and life-changing.”
Beyond crowning a European champion, the tournament also served as the UEFA qualifiers for the upcoming FIFA U-17 World CupCompetition·FIFA U-17 World Cup, adding another layer of significance to the performances of these emerging talents.
Italy U-17 team celebrates winning the UEFA Under-17 European Championship in Tallinn, Estonia. Mauri Levandi/IMAGO
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