The first FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival begins in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 24 October 2026 and runs until 30 October. Teams from about 190 football associations are taking part, and Pakistan is playing for the first time in a FIFA World Cup event. Here is how the tournament works, who is playing for Pakistan and when the matches are.
Quick Facts
- Dates: 24 to 30 October 2026.
- City: Baku, Azerbaijan.
- Venues: Hovsan Competition Complex for matches. Baku Crystal Hall for the opening match and the tier finals.
- Teams: 190 member associations are set to take part, according to FIFA. The event is open to all 211.
- Players: Boys born in 2011 or 2012.
How the Tournament Works
FIFA describes the event as a World Cup and a festival at the same time. About 3,000 participants are expected to play about 950 matches over six matchdays, with up to 20 games at once. Other reports say “about 1,000 matches,” so the exact number may differ slightly.
- Qualification stage: Each team plays four to five round-robin matches in mixed groups. Each group has teams from at least three confederations.
- Tier stage: Teams are then placed in one of six tiers and play four to five more matches. Each tier has its own winner.
- Champion: The winner of Tier A becomes the first U-15 World Cup and Festival champion.
- Matches: Eight players a side, two halves of 20 minutes, on a 68m by 47m pitch.
- Special rules: Kick-ins replace throw-ins, substitutions are unlimited, and offside applies only beyond lines 14 metres from the goal line.
- Squads: 14 players and up to six staff for each team.
Every team plays until the last matchday, so no team goes home after a few games.
What Is the “Festival”?
All players stay together in one athletes’ village. FIFA says it will run life-skills programmes and a Learning Zone. FIFA’s chief of global football development, Arsène Wenger, said, “At this age, the most important thing is to play.” The motto of the event is “Give every talent a chance.”
FIFA says this 2026 event is for boys, a 2027 event is for girls and from 2028 all associations can enter both boys’ and girls’ teams in separate competitions.
Pakistan’s Squad
The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) named a 14-player squad led by head coach Ihsanullah Khan, according to APP and ProPakistani. The players were chosen based on their performances in the PFF National U-17 Championship 2026. The squad flew from Islamabad to Baku on 20 October.
- 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
Spellings differ slightly between reports (for example, “Ilhan Khan Ali” and “Ilhan Khan Aliz”). The captain was not named in the reports I read.
Pakistan’s Group and Matches
ProPakistani reports that Pakistan is in Group AD. Its first five matches are:
| Date | Opponent | Time (as published) |
|---|---|---|
| 24 October | Gambia | 3:30 pm |
| 25 October | South Sudan | 1:45 pm |
| 25 October | Cyprus | 8:30 pm |
| 26 October | Jordan | 12:30 pm |
| 26 October | Nigeria | 7:15 pm |
The report does not say which time zone these times use, so they may not be Pakistan time. Check the official FIFA schedule before you plan to watch. The matches after 26 October depend on the first stage results and the tier placement.
Why It Matters for Pakistan
- The PFF calls this the country’s first participation in a FIFA World Cup event.
- Young players get to face teams from Africa, Europe and Asia in competitive matches.
- Results matter less than experience at this age, which is the idea behind the festival format.
What Is Not Clear
- The time zone of the published match times.
- Pakistan’s matches after 26 October.
- How the groups were drawn. FIFA says groups were balanced using a ranking that combines senior and youth results, but the reports I read give no further detail.
- Where Pakistani fans can watch live. I found no confirmed broadcast information.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival start?
24 October 2026, and it ends on 30 October.
Where is it being held?
In Baku, Azerbaijan.
Is Pakistan playing?
Yes. It is the country’s first participation in a FIFA World Cup event, according to the PFF.
Who is Pakistan’s first opponent?
Gambia, on 24 October.
How many teams are playing?
About 190 member associations, according to FIFA.
Who can play?
Boys born in 2011 or 2012. A girls’ edition is planned for 2027.
For Pakistan’s young players, the main goal is experience on a world stage. The first matches on 24 and 25 October will show how they handle it.
