Jack Kortkamp’s Historic Selection for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup
Sporting Kansas City’s young goalkeeper, Jack Kortkamp, has received an exciting nod to represent the United States in the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Scheduled to take place in Qatar from November 3-27, this tournament marks a significant milestone not just for Kortkamp but also for his club, as he is poised to be the first player from Sporting KC to compete in this prestigious World Cup since Gianluca Busio in 2019.
The U-17 Squad and Tournament Format
Kortkamp is part of a 21-player squad that has been assembled by USA U-17 head coach Gonzalo Segares. This talented group will kick off Group I play on November 5 against Burkina Faso, before facing Tajikistan and Czechia on November 8 and November 11, respectively. All matches are set to occur at the Aspire Zone in Al Rayyan, Qatar, and fans can catch the action on FOX Sports platforms, with specific channels to be announced later.
Group Stage Schedule
Mark your calendars for the following USA group stage matches:
- November 5 vs. Burkina Faso: 10:15 a.m. CT (Universo, Peacock)
- November 8 vs. Tajikistan: 9:45 a.m. CT (Telemundo, Peacock)
- November 11 vs. Czechia: 9:45 a.m. CT (Universo, Peacock)
These matches are anticipated to showcase the talent and teamwork of the young Americans as they vie for a path to the knockout rounds.
Kortkamp’s Path to the National Team
At just 17 years old, Kortkamp has already made a name for himself, joining the U-17 Men’s National Team during the 2024-25 cycle. He was instrumental in helping the U.S. finish atop Group F in the 2025 Concacaf U-17 World Cup Qualifiers held in Costa Rica in February. The young keeper’s journey continues as he prepares for a pre-camp in Abu Dhabi starting October 21 before moving to Qatar on November 1.
Fortuitously for the U.S. squad, players born on or after January 1, 2008, are eligible for selection, and out of the chosen 21, 19 were born in 2008, including Kortkamp. This roster reflects a rich diversity of talent, with players representing 15 different clubs—a testament to the depth of youth soccer in the U.S.
An Expanded Tournament Experience
The 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup will be unique, featuring an unprecedented 48-team format and taking Qatar for a five-tournament run from 2025-2029. The new format will see teams divided into 12 groups and requires the top two finishers from each group, along with the eight best third-place teams, to advance to the Round of 32. Such a structure promises more opportunities for excitement and drama, culminating in a knockout stage that will lead to the coveted final match.
Most matches, including those leading up to the semifinal round, will unfold at the Aspire Zone, while the culminating event on November 27 will take place at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, accommodating up to 50,000 spectators.
The Rise of Jack Kortkamp
A proud product of the Sporting KC Academy, Kortkamp signed with Sporting as a Homegrown Player last December, making history as the youngest active goalkeeper in MLS. He made his professional debut in January, primarily competing in preseason matches before fully committing to the U.S. U-17’s qualifying journey.
Over the past cycle, Kortkamp has participated in four U-17 training camps and made invaluable contributions during the Concacaf U-17 Qualifiers. His international experience thus far includes competitive outings against teams like Czech Republic and Slovakia as part of the Vaclav Jezek Tournament.
Early Beginnings and Development
Born in Oakville, Canada, and raised in Maple Grove, Minnesota, Kortkamp began his U.S. journey at a U-15 training camp in October 2022. By April 2023, he had made his U.S. U-15 debut during friendlies against England and Japan. His rapid ascent continued as he earned—alongside his Sporting KC teammate Ian James—a spot on the U-16 team for training camps and friendly matches in Florida and Buenos Aires.
His years in the Sporting KC Academy, where he competed at various levels from U-14 to U-19, culminated in an amateur contract with Sporting KC II in May 2024. He quickly made an impact, earning three starts in the MLS NEXT Pro league, highlighted by a home victory over LAFC 2.
U-17 World Cup Roster Breakdown
Here’s a comprehensive look at the U.S. U-17 squad by position and club affiliations:
-
Goalkeepers (3):
- Jack Kortkamp (Sporting Kansas City; Olathe, Kan.)
- William Lodmell (Sporting Lisbon/POR; Lisbon, Portugal)
- Aidan Stokes (New York Red Bulls; Totowa, N.J.)
-
Defenders (6):
- Christopher Cupps (Chicago Fire; Chicago, Ill.)
- Jordan Griffin (Philadelphia Union; West Chester, Pa.)
- Pedro Guimaraes (Orange County SC; Aliso Viejo, Calif.)
- Ramiz Hamouda (Birmingham Legion; Lincoln, Neb.)
- Enrique Martinez (LA Galaxy; Compton, Calif.)
- Gio Villa (Real Salt Lake; Chicago, Ill.)
-
Midfielders (6):
- Maximo Carrizo (New York City FC; Greenwich, Conn.)
- Luca Moisa (Real Salt Lake; Las Vegas, Nev.)
- Cooper Sanchez (Atlanta United; Holly Springs, Ga.)
- Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia Union; Philadelphia, Pa.)
- Jude Terry (LAFC; San Diego, Calif.)
- Mateo Tsakiris (LA Galaxy; Saratoga, Calif.)
-
Forwards (6):
- Chase Adams (Columbus Crew; Naperville, Ill.)
- Mathis Albert (Borussia Dortmund/GER; El Segundo, Calif.)
- Nimfasha Berchimas (Charlotte FC; High Point, N.C.)
- Julian Hall (New York Red Bulls, New York, N.Y.)
- Jamir Johnson (Philadelphia Union; Huntsville, Ala.)
- Kellan LeBlanc (Philadelphia Union; Royersford, Pa.)
As the tournament approaches, all eyes will be on Kortkamp and his teammates as they embark on this thrilling international adventure filled with high stakes and global attention.