All set for FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026 in Azerbaijan
The FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026 is set to get under way with the first matches to be played from 24 October 2026 in Azerbaijan, offering FIFA Member Associations of all sizes and with varying football traditions the opportunity to participate in a competition on the global stage.
This inaugural edition will pave the way for FIFA to establish the competition as a fixture of the international game, with the first girls’ tournament scheduled for next year. Both girls’ and boys’ tournaments are then planned to take place annually from 2028.
In line with the decision taken by the FIFA Council in December 2025, the competition is open to all FIFA Member Associations.
Arsène Wenger, FIFA Chief of Global Football Development, emphasised the tournament’s transformative potential: “Talent exists everywhere, but young players do not always have the same opportunities to test themselves internationally. This tournament is about providing them with that opportunity. By bringing teams from across the world together at U-15 level, we can give players meaningful matches, expose them to different styles and football cultures, and help them learn and develop through competition.”
Wenger is convinced that the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival format will have a lasting impact on the lives of many talented boys and girls: “Football can truly unite the world in a very powerful way at youth level. Bringing young players together from different countries and cultures gives them an experience that goes beyond competition, while also encouraging Member Associations to continue investing in their development.”
The competition will feature an innovative 8v8 format with 20-minute halves, designed to maximise player development and match experience. Truly demonstrating how football unites the world, nearly 1,000 games will be played across six matchdays at the Hovsan Competition Complex in Baku, with the opening match and the tier finals on 30 October scheduled to take place at the iconic Crystal Hall in Azerbaijan’s capital city.
