FIFA Under-17 World Cup: Teams start to arrive in Kochi

KOCHI: Setting the stage for the mega FIFA Under-17 World Cup event in Kochi beginning on Saturday, four teams arrived at the Cochin international airport on Tuesday. The teams that arrived were Spain, Niger, North Korea and Brazil. Spain who are meeting Brazil in the opener were the first to arrive early morning. The players were given a rousing reception at the airport by FIFA volunteers, host officials  and soccer fans who were led by Aluva MLA Anwar Sadath.

Sadath presented the players with roses to welcome them. The teams later descended in the city and practiced in the grounds allotted to them after arriving at their respective hotels. The Jawaharlal Nehru stadium will host six group games in addition to a pre-quarterfinal and a quarterfinal match.