Abu Dhabi, Oct 16 (IANS/WAM): Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), has arrived in Abu Dhabi to attend the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which kicks off at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium here Thursday.
Sheikh Al Khalifa was welcomed on his arrival Tuesday by Mohammed bin Badawa, championship director, who briefed him on the final preparations the UAE has made to host the 15th biennial FIFA tournament which runs until Nov 8.
This is the largest football event ever held in the Emirates and one of the world's biggest international tournaments, with 52 matches played by 24 participating nations over three weeks.
Matches will be played across six top UAE stadiums - Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi; Emirates Stdium, Ras Al Khaimah; Fujairah Stadium, Fujairah; Sharjah Stadium, Sharjah; Rashid Stadium, Dubai; and Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain.