Midfielder Jaime Peters, left, is a key member of Canada's Under-20 team. (Bas Czerwinski/Associated Press)

The FIFA Under-20 World Cup is still over two months away, but soccer fans across Canada are already abuzz.

For three weeks this summer beginning in late June, 24 of the best youth teams in the world will compete in six cities across Canada in a competition that will showcase the stars of tomorrow.

The soccer equivalent of the world junior hockey championship, the Under-20 World Cup has launched the careers of some of the sport's biggest names, including Diego Maradona, Michael Owen, Luis Figo and Romario.

In preparation for the tournament, Canada will play exhibition matches against Scotland on March 24 and March 27 in B.C. After conducting a training camp in April, the team will play more exhibition games in May and June leading up to the start of the competition on June 30.

As host, Canada automatically qualified for the tournament, but the players are aiming high. (Canada's best finish at the tournament came in 2003, when the team reached the quarter-finals).

"If we do well, it can change the way people look at Canadian soccer for a lot of years to come," forward Andrea Lombardo told CBC Sports.

Teams have until 10 days before the tournament begins to name their final rosters. CBC Sports Online takes a preliminary look at how the six opening-round groups break down:

GROUP A
Who's in the group: CANADA, Austria, Chile, Congo
Where they'll play: Toronto, Edmonton

It's not the toughest group of the six, but it's not the easiest, either.

Congo isn't one of the traditional African soccer powers, but it did upset Nigeria in the final of this year's African Youth Championship to book its spot at the Under-20 World Cup. Austria is back at this tournament, which takes place every two years, for the first time since 1983, but they shouldn't be taken lightly, as they have an outstanding youth program.

Canadian coach Dale Mitchell believes Chile will prove to be the toughest test for his team in the first round.

"Chile is an outstanding technical team. … Physically, I think we'll do OK against them; they're not an Argentina or a Brazil, but they're traditionally the third-best team out of South America at this level," Mitchell told CBC Sports.

Mitchell will be looking to captain David Edgar, a defender who plays in the English Premiership with Newcastle United, to provide Canada with leadership on the field.

Player to watch in this group: Forward Alexis Sanchez of Chile. Nicknamed El Nino Maravilla (the Wonder Boy), Sanchez is a marvel with the ball at his feet and should cause defenders plenty of problems. He's also played a handful of games for the senior Chilean national team.
Key game in this group: Canada vs. Congo (July 8 in Edmonton) – Canada's final game of the round robin will likely decide whether or not it advances to the second round. Congo will be making its debut at this tournament but they are capable of beating any country – just ask Nigeria.

GROUP B
Who's in the group: Jordan, Spain, Uruguay, Zambia
Where they'll play: Burnaby, Victoria

Spain, known as La Furia Roja (The Red Fury), went undefeated through the qualifying round and as the defending Under-19 European champions, it boasts one of the best youth programs in world soccer. The Spaniards also have plenty of world-class players at this level, namely forward Alberto Bueno and central defender Gerard Piqué.

That's not to discount Uruguay, who finished an impressive third in the South American qualifiers. The Uruguayans return to the World Under-20 tournament for the first time in eight years and are hungry to prove they belong among the sport's elite.

With all due respect to Asian debutants Jordan and African side Zambia, they're just making up the numbers in this group.

Player to watch in this group: Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani. Nicknamed El Matador, Cavani was the leading scorer in the South American qualifying tournament with seven goals and recently signed with Italian club Palermo. Cavani can score with either foot, is strong in the air and is a real workhorse.
Key game in this group: Spain vs. Uruguay (July 1 in Burnaby) – The two group favourites meet each other in the opener and seeing how Jordan and Zambia are non-factors, this contest will likely decide first place. The most interesting individual matchup pits classy Spanish defender Piqué against Cavani.

GROUP C
Who's in the group: Gambia, New Zealand, Mexico, Portugal
Where they'll play: Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton

The old generation (Portugal) and the new generation (Mexico) collide in this group.

Led by Luis Figo and the "Golden Generation," Portugal won this tournament twice (in 1989 and 1991), but have managed only one final-four appearance since (in 1995). Midfielder Bruno Gama serves as the anchor of the current Portuguese team.

Mexico, on the other hand, enters this competition as one of the favourites. The Mexican squad is built on the youth team that won the Under-17 World Championship two years ago in Peru and boasts two of the most sensational players in the world at this age level in Carlos Vela and Giovanni dos Santos.

New Zealand will be making its debut at this tournament, but the Kiwis might just sneak into the second round as a third-place team if midfielder Chris James lives up to his potential. Like New Zealand, Gambia takes its Under-20 bow in Canada, but without a proven goal-scorer, look for the Africans to go home early.

Player to watch in this group: Mexican forward Carlos Vela. Dubbed "the new Hugo Sanchez" by the Spanish press, Vela is causing a stir this season at Salamanca in Spain's second division. The teenager first drew headlines in 2005 when he helped Mexico win the Under-17 World Championship in Peru by scoring a tournament-leading five goals.
Key game in this gorup: Mexico vs. Portugal (July 5 in Toronto) – First-place will likely be decided when the Portuguese take on the Mexicans at BMO Field.

GROUP D
Who's in the group: Brazil, Poland, South Korea, United States
Where they'll play: Montreal, Ottawa

Brazilian forward Alexandre Pato (no. 11) will be one the breakout stars at this year's Under-20 World Cup. (JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images)

Brazil is considered the runaway favourites in this group for good reason.

The Brazilians romped to a first-place finish in the South American qualifiers, scoring an impressive 20 goals along the way. The Selecao have plenty of depth and experience – their four Under-20 World titles ranks second only to Argentina, who have won five.

U.S. national team coach Thomas Rongen has built a strong and well-organized side, led by teen sensation Freddy Adu. The Ghanaian-born playmaker is a joy to watch and will bamboozle defenders with his slick moves.

Don't overlook Poland. The Poles have one of the better youth programs in Europe and star striker Dawid Janczyk has already drawn comparisons with legendary Juventus star and Polish national team legend Zbigniew Boniek.

South Korea, a regular fixture at this tournament, struggled through the Asian qualifiers and will be lucky to finish third.

Player to watch in this group: Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato. The baby-faced Brazilian scored five goals in the South American qualifiers, and is already being touted as "the new Ronaldo." A regular starter with Brazilian club Internacional, the Brazilian captain will be the breakout star of this tournament.
Key game in this group: Brazil vs. the U.S. (July 6 in Ottawa) – Brazil is the class of this group, but don't expect the Americans to just lie down in this game. The U.S. will be looking to knock off the Selecao and send a message to the rest of the tournament field.

GROUP E
Who's in the group: Argentina, Czech Republic, North Korea, Panama
Where they'll play: Ottawa, Montreal

As five-time winners of this competition, Argentina has to be considered one of the favourites in Canada.

The defending champions don't have Lionel Messi (the 2005 tournament MVP) to rely on any longer – he's since graduated to the senior team – but the Argentines still have plenty of outstanding players and enough class to cruise to the top of this group.

The Czech Republic could prove to be a bit of an obstacle, though. The Czechs are a defensive team, but they do have a sparkling creative talent in creative midfielder Marek Strestik.

North Korean shockingly won the Asian qualifying tournament, while Panama will be playing in its third straight tournament and will be shooting for its first win.

Player to watch in this group: Argentine midfielder Ever Banega. The young playmaker has several outstanding qualities, not the least of which are his impeccable passing skills, strength in possession and his intelligence on the field. Skilful and elegant, Banega will conduct the Argentine attack.
Key game in this group: Argentina vs. Czech Republic (June 30 in Ottawa) – What a barnburner this one will be!

GROUP F
Who's in the group: Costa Rica, Japan, Nigeria, Scotland
Where they'll play: Victoria, Burnaby

There's real parity in this group and any one of the four teams could easily finish first.

Scotland raised more than a few eyebrows when they impressively reached the finals of last year's Under-19 European Championship to stamp its passport for Canada. The Scots, coached by former national team legend Archie Gemmill, will be well-supported by the large Scottish ex-pat and immigrant population in Canada.

Nigeria shockingly lost to Congo in the African qualifiers, but don’t read too much into that. Runners-up in this tournament two years ago in the Netherlands, the Flying Eagles are an exciting team who play an attacking brand of soccer that overwhelms their opponents.

Asian powerhouse Japan and CONCACAF's Costa Rica will also challenge.

Player to watch in this group: Nigerian striker Emmanuel Sarki. Sarki has a natural scorer's instinct and strong technical ability. It'll be up to him to carry the goal-scoring burden for the Flying Eagles
Key game in this group: Nigeria at Scotland (July 4 in Victoria) – Should be an interesting contest pitting Nigeria's fast and fluid attack against Scotland's tried and true defence.