Argentina favourite for U-20 World Cup

Argentina have been drawn in Group F alongside England, Mexico, Korea DPR for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia later this year.

The tournament will run from July 29 to August 20, with Argentina, who have won the trophy five of the last eight times, expected to be in the tournament right until the business end.

Argentina’s chances of victory are boosted by the fact that defending champion Ghana, who beat Brazil 4-3 in penalties in the 2009 tournament in Canada, failed to qualify.

Walter Perazzo’s side may face a serious threat in England, early in the tournament, while Korea DPR will be no easy beats themselves, having beaten Australia 3-2 in the AFC Under-19 Championship in China last year.

Brazil, considered another favourite, will open the competition against Egypt in Barranquilla, with the two other sides in Group E being Austria and Panama.

Only one of the 24 countries in the tournament is unconfirmed, with either New Zealand or the Solomon Islands to make up the numbers when they clash in the OFC U-20 Championship Final at North Harbour Stadium on Friday. The winner will be in Group B.