U-20 World Cup 2013: Groups, Fixtures, Teams, Preview and More

We may have to wait a year for the World Cup in Brazil, but we'll get to see the stars of tomorrow compete this summer in the U-20 World Cup in Turkey. 

With the Confederations Cup already in action and the U-20 World Cup starting soon, there will be plenty of chances to get your international soccer fix fulfilled this summer. 

Below, you'll find everything you need to know heading into the tournament, including the teams, groups, a full list of fixtures and a preview of all the action. Enjoy.

Groups

Group A: France, Ghana, USA, Spain 

Group B:Cuba, Korea Republic, Nigeria, Portugal

Group C: Turkey, El Salvador, Colombia, Australia

Group D: Mexico, Greece, Paraguay, Mali

Group E: Chile, Egypt, England, Iraq

Group F: New Zealand, Uzbekistan, Uruguay, Croatia 

Matches and Viewing Schedule

Group A

Match	Date and Time	Location	Teams	Watch
2	June 21 at 11 a.m. ET	Istanbul	France vs. Ghana	WatchESPN
4	June 21 at 2 p.m. ET	Istanbul	USA vs. Spain	ESPN2; WatchESPN
13	June 24 at 11 a.m. ET	Istanbul	France vs. USA	ESPN2; ESPNU; WatchESPN
15	June 24 at 2 p.m. ET	Istanbul	Spain vs. Ghana	ESPNU; WatchESPN
27	June 27 at 1 p.m. ET	Istanbul	Spain vs. France	WatchESPN
28	June 27 at 1 p.m. ET	Kayseri	Ghana vs. USA	ESPNU; WatchESPN

Group B

Match	Date and Time	Location	Teams	Watch
1	June 21 at 11 a.m. ET	Kayseri	Cuba vs. Korea Republic	WatchESPN
3	June 21 at 2 p.m. ET	Kayseri	Nigeria vs. Portugal	WatchESPN
14	June 24 at 11 a.m. ET	Kayseri	Cuba vs. Nigeria	WatchESPN
16	June 24 at 2 p.m. ET	Kayseri	Portugal vs. Korea Republic	WatchESPN
25	June 27 at 10 a.m. ET	Istanbul	Korea Republic vs. Nigeria	WatchESPN
26	June 27 at 10 a.m. ET	Kayseri	Portugal vs. Cuba	WatchESPN

Group C

Match	Date and Time	Location	Teams	Watch
5	June 22 at 11 a.m. ET	Trabzon	Colombia vs. Australia	WatchESPN
7	June 22 at 2 p.m. ET	Trabzon	Turkey vs. El Salvador	ESPNU; WatchESPN
17	June 25 at 11 a.m. ET	Rize	Australia vs. El Salvador	WatchESPN
19	June 25 at 2 p.m. ET	Rize	Turkey vs. Colombia	ESPNU; WatchESPN
31	June 28 at 2 p.m. ET	Trabzon	Australia vs. Turkey	WatchESPN
32	June 28 at 2 p.m. ET	Gaziantep	El Salvador vs. Colombia	WatchESPN

Group D

Match	Date and Time	Location	Teams	Watch
6	June 22 at 11 a.m. ET	Gaziantep	Mexico vs. Greece	ESPNU; WatchESPN
8	June 22 at 2 p.m. ET	Gaziantep	Paraguay vs. Mali	WatchESPN
18	June 25 at 11 a.m. ET	Gaziantep	Mexico vs. Paraguay	ESPN2; ESPNU; WatchESPN
20	June 25 at 2 p.m. ET	Gaziantep	Mali vs. Greece	WatchESPN
29	June 28 at 11 a.m. ET	Trabzon	Greece vs. Paraguay	WatchESPN
30	June 28 at 11 a.m. ET	Gaziantep	Mali vs. Mexico	ESPNU; WatchESPN

Group E

Match	Date and Time	Location	Teams	Watch
9	June 23 at 11 a.m. ET	Antalya	Chile vs. Egypt	ESPNU; WatchESPN
11	June 23 at 2 p.m. ET	Antalya	England vs. Iraq	ESPNU; WatchESPN
21	June 26 at 11 a.m. ET	Antalya	Chile vs. England	WatchESPN
23	June 26 at 2 p.m. ET	Antalya	Iraq vs. Egypt	WatchESPN
35	June 29 at 2 p.m. ET	Antalya	Iraq vs. Chile	WatchESPN
36	June 29 at 2 p.m. ET	Bursa	Egypt vs. England	ESPNU; WatchESPN

Group F

Match	Date and Time	Location	Teams	Watch
10	June 23 at 10 a.m. ET	Bursa	New Zealand vs. Uzbekistan	WatchESPN
12	June 23 at 1 p.m. ET	Bursa	Uruguay vs. Croatia	WatchESPN
22	June 26 at 11 a.m. ET	Bursa	New Zealand vs. Uruguay	WatchESPN
24	June 26 at 2 p.m. ET	Bursa	Croatia vs. Uzbekistan	WatchESPN
33	June 29 at 11 a.m. ET	Antalya	Uzbekistan vs. Uruguay	WatchESPN
34	June 29 at 11 a.m. ET	Bursa	Croatia vs. New Zealand	WatchESPN

 

Round of 16 (All Games on ESPNU or WatchESPN)

Match	Date and Time	Location	Teams
37	July 2 at 11 a.m. ET	Istanbul	1A vs. 3CDE
38	July 2 at 11 a.m. ET	Gaziantep	1D vs. 3BEF
39	July 2 at 2 p.m. ET	Istanbul	2B vs. 2F
40	July 2 at 2 p.m. ET	Gaziantep	2A vs. 2C
41	July 3 at 11 a.m. ET	Kayseri	1B vs. 3ACD
42	July 3 at 11 a.m. ET	Bursa	1F vs. 2E
43	July 3 at 2 p.m. ET	Trabzon	1C vs. 3ABF
44	July 3 at 2 p.m. ET	Antalya	1E vs. 2D

 

Quarterfinals

Match	Date and Time	Location	Teams	Watch
45	July 6 at 11 a.m. ET	Rize	W40 vs. W38	ESPNU; WatchESPN
46	July 6 at 2 p.m. ET	Bursa	W39 vs. W37	ESPNU; WatchESPN
47	July 7 at 11 a.m. ET	Kayseri	W44 vs. W43	ESPNU; WatchESPN
48	July 7 at 2 p.m. ET	Istanbul	W41 vs. W42	ESPNU; WatchESPN

 

Semifinals

Match	Date and Time	Location	Teams	Watch
49	July 10 at 11 a.m. ET	Bursa	W45 vs. W48	ESPNU; WatchESPN
50	July 10 at 2 p.m. ET	Trabzon	W47 vs. W46	ESPNU; WatchESPN

 

Third-Place Game

Match	Date and Time	Location	Teams	Watch
51	July 13 at 11 a.m. ET	Istanbul	L49 vs. L50	ESPNU; WatchESPN

 

Final

Match	Date and Time	Location	Teams	Watch
52	July 13 at 2 p.m. ET	Istanbul	W49 vs. W50	ESPNU; WatchESPN

 

Preview

Welcome to the Group of Death, United States.

The Americans will face a brutal challenge attempting to reach the knockout stage with France and Spain standing in their way, alongside Ghana. 

France will be led by Juventus starlet Paul Pogba, who will arguably be the biggest star at this tournament. Of course, with Yaya Sanogo, Jean-Christophe Bahebeck and Samuel Umtiti, this is a loaded French side. 

And then there is Spain—in its 14th appearance at this tournament. With crafty midfielder Oliver and a slew of dangerous players in Gerard Deulofeu, Jese and Paco Alcacer, this Spanish side will be one of the favorites to watch for. 

In other words, despite having one of the more talented sides in recent memory, led by Santos Laguna's Hector Joya, it would be a pretty big surprise if the United States finished in the top two in Group A. The team will likely have to advance as one of the four third-place teams to move on.

Mexico could win the whole thing, however. With a strong unit led by Jesus Corona, Marco Bueno and Antonio Briseno and a very winnable group—Greece, Paraguay and Mali aren't pushovers, but they aren't on the level of Mexico—El Tri should do some damage in this tournament. 

Toulon runners-up Colombia, along with Portugal, Uruguay and England, should also threaten for the title.

 

Predictions

Loaded French and Spanish sides will advance out of Group A. Group B should be very interesting, with Portugal, Nigeria and the Korea Republic all capable of moving on, but I like Portugal and Nigeria to advance. 

Colombia will dominate Group C, with hosts Turkey tagging along as well, while Mexico and Greece should advance out of Group D with little issue. England and Egypt will survive a tough Group E, while Uruguay and Croatia will move on in Group F. 

Remember, in this tournament four third-place teams will advance. That's the meal ticket for the United States, along with the Korea Republic, Paraguay and Chile.

Look for Spain, France, Portugal and Colombia to reach the semifinals, with France knocking out Mexico in an excellent quarterfinal matchup. From there, France will defeat Portugal, while Spain will just sneak past a dangerous Colombia side. 

In the final, it will be Pogba leading France to a mild upset over Spain, avenging Spain's finish atop Group A.