Group C analysis: Honduras, New Zealand, Norway, Uruguay - FIFA U-20 World Cup 2019 teams

May 14, 2019 By Ali M.

Topics: FIFA U-20 World Cup, Honduras, New Zealand, Norway, Uruguay, TV Schedules, TV Listings

This will be an interesting group, as the likes of Norway will attempt to bring down their most esteemed rivals.

Honduras

Honduras has never made it past the group stage in this competition, but the CONCACAF will be keen on ending their wait for a knockout stage appearance in the FIFA U-20 World Cup. They will be hoping that their eighth appearance will be the lucky one; however, Carlos Tabora will have their work cut out for them.

While Honduras would top Group C in the group stage of the 2018 CONCACAF U-20 Championship, the Central American nation would go on to miss on on the final after finishing behind the USA. Their ticket to Poland was secured courtesy of that second-placed finished, but making an appearance isn't their only goal for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

New Zealand

While the Junior All Whites were always the favorites to qualify from OFC, they will now face a tougher task. New Zealand has made it into the round of 16 in their last two FIFA U-20 World Cup tournaments and they will now be looking to go one step further.

After brushing all aside in the 2018 OFC U-19 Championship to make it to Poland, including fellow Oceania representative Tahiti. Des Buckingham's side lifted that trophy, with their Max Mata and Joe Bell winning the Golden Boot and Golden Ball respectively. While lifting the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup will be a bigger hill to climb, it is one that they will give their all to conquer.

Norway

While this will be only Norway's third cameo in this tournament, the European outfit will be keen on shocking their Group C rivals. Never have they made it past the group stage, but they will be booming in confidence after the route in which they qualified for this tournament.

After finishing in the third spot in their UEFA European U-19 Championship group, they booked a playoff with none other than England. If you're wondering what's the big deal about facing the Three Lions, they are the reigning FIFA U-20 World Cup champions. However, U19-landslaget weren't fazed as they scored three without a reply in the playoff to book their ticket. Next up on their bucket list is beating Honduras, New Zealand, and Uruguay.

Uruguay

While Uruguay missed out on the 2019 South American U-20 Championship, coming in third behind Ecuador and Argentina, they have experience in this tournament. La Celeste have the most appearances in this competition out of this group at 15 and have made it all the way to the final on two occasions, albeit they lost both. Will they end their wait for the title?