The FA will stage the 2018 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, after England was awarded hosting rights for the Finals.
The tournament for Europe’s 16 elite nations will be played at venues across the Midlands, with St. George’s Park at its heart.
Match venues are still to be confirmed, while Loughborough and Warwick Universities will both be involved as training bases, as they were during the 2012 London Olympics. The UEFA Executive Committee made the decision at a two-day meeting in Nyon, Switzerland.
England are the current holders
England have enjoyed a good record in the competition in recent years, becoming champions in 2010 in Liechtenstein and in 2014 when John Peacock’s team won in Malta, but The FA has not previously hosted the U17 competition, which dates back to 2002. Last season saw Steve Cooper lead his squad to the Final in Croatia, where they missed out on another title after losing on a penalty shoot-out.
The competition will serve as preparation for the Euro 2020 Finals, with The FA hosting the semi-finals and Final at Wembley Stadium.
In 2002, former England captain Wayne Rooney was voted UEFA’s golden player at the U17 Finals, two years before he shone at UEFA Euro 2004 in Portugal.
Rooney said: "I am delighted that UEFA has chosen St. George’s Park for the 2018 U17 European Championship, I have no doubt the tournament will give us the opportunity to show the quality of our facilities.
“I would also like to congratulate all those involved in bringing the tournament to England.
"I have never had the opportunity to play in a home-based tournament so the experience for our U17 squad should be extra special and I hope that the lads seize the opportunity before them."
England's line-up for the Final last year
FA Chairman Greg Dyke said: “I would like to thank the UEFA President and his Executive Committee for their support.
"We discussed this proposal when Mr Platini visited St. George’s Park last November and he was very positive – not just about the world-class facilities but also the hugely positive development environment he found.
“We won the U17 Finals in 2010 and 2014, reached the semi-finals in 2011 and the final in 2017 so hosting the final round for the first time makes sense.
"It will complement our new England DNA strategy with its aim of helping to give young talented players the best pathway to achieve their full potential.”
UEFA has shown a strong commitment to The FA in recent times. UEFA Euro 2020 will see matches played across 12 other European cities before concluding with the semi-finals and Final in London.
In making its choice last September, UEFA praised Wembley as the best stadium of all who entered.
Wayne Rooney was the star man in 2002
The FA hosted the 2013 UEFA European Women’s Under-17 Championship, also using St. George’s Park, while this summer sees the centre welcome the CPISRA Cerebral Palsy World Cup - underlining The FA’s commitment to football for everyone.
In 2011 and 2013, the men’s and women’s UEFA Champions League Finals were held in London along with the 2013 UEFA Congress. FA Vice-Chairman David Gill is a UEFA Executive Committee member, and was therefore not allowed to take part in the vote for the 2018 Finals.
He said: “I am grateful to my fellow Executive Committee members for their decision to take the U17 European Championship to St. George’s Park, and local clubs across the heartland of England.
“The competition is growing in stature and provides the perfect platform for Europe’s best young talent. For young English players in particular, it is a great incentive to represent the country on home soil.”
