Pakistan’s young footballers are going to a FIFA World Cup event for the very first time. The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has named its Pakistan FIFA U-15 World Cup squad: 14 players who will travel to Baku, Azerbaijan, for the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival 2026. The team will leave Islamabad on October 20. Here is everything you need to know, in simple words.
What Happened?
On Friday, October 16, 2026, the PFF announced the squad. Head coach Ihsanullah Khan named the 14 players who will represent Pakistan. The PFF and news reports call the trip a historic milestone, because this is the first time a Pakistani team will play at a FIFA World Cup event.
Meet the 14 Players
Here is the full squad:
- Shayan Abdul Jabbar Marwat
- Muhammad Salman
- Muhammad Alam
- Maqbool Ahmed
- Shahraz Khan
- Rameez Riza
- Ameer Hamza
- Muhammad Mustafa
- Ilhan Khan Ali
- Bakshi Hamal Khan
- Owais Faiz
- Zain ul Abideen
- Danish Masih
- Kaleem Ullah
How Were the Players Chosen?
The coach picked the players based on how well they played at the PFF National U-17 Championship 2026, which took place earlier this month. The PFF says the squad has some of the country’s top young talents. The federation also says it wants to find and develop young players and give them a chance to play at the international level.
What Is the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival?
This is the first time FIFA is holding this event. Teams from around 190 FIFA member countries are coming to Baku. They are split into 32 groups. After the group games, the group winners move into the top tier of the competition. The other teams play in five more tiers, depending on how they did in their groups, so every team keeps playing.
The PFF says the festival will let Pakistan’s players meet different footballing cultures and play against teams from many countries.
Key Dates and Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Squad announced | Friday, October 16, 2026 |
| Team leaves for Baku | October 20, from Islamabad |
| Head coach | Ihsanullah Khan |
| Number of players | 14 |
| Where | Hovsan Competition Complex, Baku, Azerbaijan |
| Teams | Around 190 FIFA member countries, in 32 groups |
| Matches | Nearly 1,000 over six matchdays |
| Opening match and tier finals | October 30 at Crystal Hall, according to one report |
The reports I found did not yet name Pakistan’s group or its first opponents. Those details should come out closer to the start of the event.
Why This Matters
Pakistan has never sent a team to a FIFA World Cup event before. For the 14 players, it is a chance to learn from top young teams from all over the world. For Pakistan football, it shows that the national championships can lead to bigger stages. Many fans hope this will inspire more young players to take up the sport.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Pakistan U-15 team leave for Baku?
The team will leave Islamabad on October 20, 2026.
How many players are in the squad?
14 players.
Who is the coach?
Ihsanullah Khan is the head coach.
How were the players selected?
They were chosen based on their performances at the PFF National U-17 Championship 2026.
Is this Pakistan’s first FIFA World Cup event?
Yes. The PFF says this is the first time a Pakistani team will take part in a FIFA World Cup event.
Pakistan’s young footballers are about to take a big step. We will update this article when Pakistan’s group and match schedule are announced. Good luck to the team!
