The FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023™ produced thrilling drama, jaw-dropping individual performances and a history-making champion team.

Germany’s illustrious honours list includes four senior World Cup triumphs and one at U-20 level. A U-17 title had proved elusive, however, until Christian Wuck’s team completed the set at Indonesia 2023.

They performed with style, steel and spirit to emerge as champions, edging a formidable France side on penalties in a dramatic final. The French displayed admirable resilience themselves to battle back from 2-0 down to force the shootout. There, however, they found Germany goalkeeper Konstantin Heide in inspired form, with two sensational saves giving Almugera Kabar the chance to bury the winning kick – an opportunity he seized emphatically.

In winning the tournament, Germany became the first team to lift the U-17 European and World Cup titles in the same year. Remarkably, they had also beaten France on penalties in the continental final, with that match unfolding exactly six months before their Indonesia 2023 showdown.

The standard throughout the U-17 World Cup was outstanding. The players’ elite technical quality was matched by their incredible athleticism, with games consistently played at breakneck speed.

The pulsating on-field action was played out in front of passionate, vibrant crowds. Indonesia proved to be a fabulous host nation, with the tournament experience made immeasurably richer by the generosity and enthusiasm of the country’s people.

“Indonesia has been a great host, giving us a warm welcome and hospitality like nowhere else,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “We had over 1,000 volunteers and we had great attendances at the stadiums: almost half a million people came to the games. What struck all of us was the way we were welcomed in this country – a beautiful country that welcomed the world.”

Triumphant Germany coach Wuck, meanwhile, also neatly summarised what made the tournament so special. Speaking moments after lifting the title, he said: “I’d like to say thank you so much Indonesia and to all the people I met here.

“We had top-class conditions in the three cities we played in: Bandung, Jakarta and Surakarta. Wherever we went, we were only greeted with smiling faces. The kindness of the people has been extraordinary. It’s truly been a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”