Comparative Analysis of U17, U20, and Senior Football Team Performances in the FIFA World Cup: From Youth to Senior Level

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate differences in match physical and technical/tactical performance of teams across different competitive levels in international soccer: FIFA Men's World Cup Qatar 2022 (MWC), FIFA U20 World Cup Argentina 2023 (U20WC), and FIFA U17 World Cup Indonesia 2023 (U17WC).

METHODS: From a total of 168 games, 138 games were analyzed (N = 276 game observations) using an optical tracking system.

RESULTS: On average, the U17WC teams exhibited reduced total running (3% less), high-intensity running (14%-16% less), and sprinting (18%-26% less) distance than the MWC and U20WC teams (P ≤ .0023; effect size [ES]: 0.8-1.5). The MWC teams displayed 4% to 5% higher accuracy in passing and executing line breaks (P ≤ .0188; ES: 0.6-0.7), along with increased offers to receive the ball (53%-118% more) and movements to receive the ball (44%-101% more), and received the ball (61%-137%) more often than the U20WC and U17WC teams (P < .001; ES: 1.1-2.1). Moreover, notable decreases in defensive pressure (-18% to -32%) and forced turnovers (-26% to -32%) were observed in the U17WC than other competitions (P ≤ .0001; ES: 0.8-2.2). Greater variability was observed among the U17WC teams in several metrics, including high-intensity/sprinting distances, attempts at goal, and receptions in the final third.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that as the competitive level increases, so do the physical demands, advanced technical skills, and tactical fluidity/adaptability. However, caution should be exercised when interpreting match performance of younger age groups, as higher variability was evident in both physical and technical/tactical performance in matches.