(WFI) Final preparations are being made in Egypt for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which kicks off in Alexandria on Thursday.

Twenty-four nations compete for the title, but six-time winner Argentina is absent after they unexpectedly failed to qualify.

Traditionally, the tournament – FIFA’s second oldest competition – has offered fans a glimpse of the stars of tomorrow. According to world football’s governing body, 485 footballers who have appeared in the tournament have gone on to take part in the quadrennial FIFA World Cup; 21 of these players have gone on to claim the world title with their national teams.

At the 2007 tournament in Canada, Sergio Aguero starred for Argentina as the South American team claimed a sixth U-20 title. Aguero has firmly established his place in the senior national team.

Among the form sides expected to reach the latter stages of the tournament are reigning European U-17 and U-21 champions Germany, U-19 and U-21 European finalists England and runners-up in the Canada 2007 edition, Czech Republic.

From Africa, Ghana and Egypt are tipped to do well, with the host nation opening their campaign against Group A rivals Trinidad and Tobago on the first day of the tournament at Alexandria's Egyptian Army Stadium. It will be the first official match at the 80,000-seater venue, constructed as part of the nation’s unsuccessful 2010 World Cup bid.

Another iconic host venue is the city's 80-year-old Alexandria Stadium, which incorporates part of the old city walls within its structure.

Cairo's International Stadium will play host to most of the tournament action, with 13 fixtures including two of Egypt's group-stage games, two quarter-finals, both semis, the third-place play-off and the final.

FIFA reports that many Egyptians, especially those based in the capital, are travelling to the countryside and coastal resorts for the holiday season, which continues until just after the tournament kick-off.

But tournament director Khaled Abdel-Aziz does not believe the holiday period and religious celebrations will adversely affect attendances.

“The Eid and holiday period will be a great opportunity for the Egyptian public to get behind their team and cheer them to victory,” he said. “The crowd will turn out to support our team especially if they are winning. The Egyptians love sport and love to win.”

He said when Egypt recently hosted the World Youth Handball Championship preliminary games only drew 200-odd fans, but as the hosts continued to win attendances grew to 20,000.

About 50,000 tickets have been sold for the opening match and Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak is expected to attend along with FIFA president Sepp Blatter.