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The inaugural edition kicked off in Baku on October 24, featuring 189 teams and more than 3,000 young players and coaches in a landmark initiative to promote grassroots football development.
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Nigeria’s U-15 team suffered a 6-3 quarter-final loss to Benin Republic, ending their six-match unbeaten run.
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Future Eagles captain Timothy Ogar Ijachi has emerged as one of the tournament’s standout performers, scoring a hat-trick against New Caledonia.
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The competition features eight-a-side matches played over two 20-minute halves on reduced-size pitches, with rolling substitutions.
October 29, (THEWILL) – The first edition of the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival kicked off in Baku, Azerbaijan on October 24 and will end on Friday, with a total of 189 teams participating.
The FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival is an international youth football competition organised by FIFA for national teams of players up to the age of 15.
The FIFA Council approved the U-15 tournament for boys and girls, in December 2025 as part of its commitment to promote youth football.
More than 3,000 young players and coaches are participating in the tournament’s first edition in Azerbaijan.
The Nigerian U-15 team known as the Future Eagles are also participating in the tournament.
The Future Eagles suffered a 6-3 defeat to Benin Republic on Wednesday, bringing an end to their six-match unbeaten run in the tournament.
Nigeria went unbeaten in the group stage, drawing four and winning one.
In the round of 16, The Future Eagles defeated the New Caledonian 7-0 before they lost 6-3 to Benin Republic in the quarter-finals.
Nigeria will take on Chile in the placement playoff match.
The Future Eagles Captain Timothy Ogar Ijachi has been one of the standout players of the tournament with 11 goals
On Wednesday, he made it a hat-trick in the 7-0 rout of New Caledonia, before hitting another brace in the loss to Benin Republic.
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FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival Format
Matches are played in an eight-a-side format on reduced-size pitches with smaller goals. Each match consists of two 20-minute halves, with rolling substitutions permitted throughout the game.
The use of smaller teams and playing areas is intended to maximise player’s involvement, increased touches and decision-making opportunities.
The tournament is accompanied by a football festival involving all participating teams.
FIFA described the event as an opportunity to promote learning, cultural exchange and grassroots development alongside competition.
FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger highlighted the importance of the festival.
He said: “The first thing that comes out is the image of happiness and excitement. To see the whole world here together and organise a tournament with basically 190 teams and do that all in one week, and (give them the chance) to live in the same place, with the players so happy, so committed, and to see the whole world like that…..is just what football should do, always.
“What happens outside the pitch here is basically as important as what happens on the pitch because the coaches communicate together, the players communicate together, and that is why they know [they’re experiencing] a special moment and they are grateful for it.”
Wenger also opened up on the innovative 8v8 format with 20-minute halves, designed to maximise player development and match experience.
He added: “I would say it’s working perfectly well. We wanted it to be a reduced number, not 11 against 11, because the difference between the countries would be too big. We wanted, as well, shorter games (so) that everybody can meet everybody.
“We have seen many smaller countries competing with the bigger countries so that is important that they meet …… You want an opportunity to develop. When you say, ‘Give every talent a chance’, it’s about opportunity. Here they can come, play and discover that they have the needed quality to exist at the top level.”
Why is it called FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival?
FIFA has described the festival as a central component of the event, intended to emphasise friendship, inclusion and learning, in addition to sporting competition.
The format aims to provide young players from all member associations with international experience at an early stage, encouraging participation, fair play and technical improvement.
When is the Girls’ FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival Tournament ?
The competition has three different format in the first three years.
The 2026 edition will feature only the boys national teams from all FIFA member associations.
In 2027, The competition will be reserved for only girls’ national teams.
From 2028 onwards, FIFA will separate boys’ and girls’ competition, with all member associations invited to enter teams in both.
