The group stage of the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival in Baku has concluded, with 32 national teams advancing to compete for the tournament's main trophy following three days of competition.
As reported by İdman.Biz, a total of 189 national teams are participating in the tournament, initially divided into 32 groups. Under the competition regulations, only group winners have qualified for the top division, Tier A, where the first U-15 world champion will be crowned.
The title contenders represent all football confederations and include Brazil, Spain, Italy, Mexico, Morocco and Australia.
However, several major football nations, including Argentina, France, England, Portugal and Japan, have been eliminated from the race for the main trophy after failing to win their respective groups.
The complete list of Tier A participants following the group stage:
Estonia (A), Algeria (B), Ireland (C), Brazil (D), Spain (E), Morocco (F), Wales (G), Mexico (H), Bulgaria (I), Angola (J), Cameroon (K), Italy (L), Colombia (M), Greece (N), Peru (O), Guinea (P), South Korea (Q), Bosnia and Herzegovina (R), Egypt (S), Venezuela (T), Ecuador (U), Paraguay (V), Ghana (W), Uruguay (X), Albania (Y), Kenya (Z), Northern Ireland (AA), Czech Republic (AB), Poland (AC), Cyprus (AD), Russia (AE), Australia (AF).
Poland's performance deserves particular attention. The team won all five group-stage matches with an extraordinary goal difference of 45:0, scoring 45 goals without conceding.
Brazil, Spain, Morocco, Mexico, Angola, Italy, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Ghana, Albania, Czech Republic, Russia and Australia also collected the maximum 15 points from their five matches.
How will the world champion be determined?
The second stage of the competition will take place from October 28 to 30. All 189 participating teams have been divided into six divisions, from Tier A to Tier F, according to their group-stage positions.
Tier A will feature the 32 group winners competing for places from first to 32nd. The group runners-up will enter Tier B, contesting positions from 33rd to 64th, while third-placed teams will compete in Tier C for places from 65th to 96th.
The remaining teams have been allocated to the other three divisions according to the same principle.
Each division will feature a five-round playoff system. The round of 32 and round of 16 matches will take place on October 28, followed by the quarterfinals and semifinals on October 29. The final placement matches are scheduled for October 30.
A distinctive feature of the format is that losing a match does not mean elimination from the tournament. Winning teams continue competing for higher positions, while defeated sides move into separate sections of the bracket to face other teams that have also suffered defeats.
This system ensures that every participant continues competing for a specific position in the final standings.
To become world champion, a Tier A team must win five consecutive matches in the second stage. If a match ends in a draw, no extra time will be played, with the winner decided by a penalty shootout.
The decisive matches across all six divisions will take place at Baku Crystal Hall on October 30.
However, only the Tier A winner will receive the official U-15 world champion title. Winners of the other divisions will receive their respective trophies but will not be recognized as overall world champions.
Who will Azerbaijan face in the battle for 65th place?
Azerbaijan, coached by Famil Khalilov, finished third in Group AF with nine points from five matches.
The hosts recorded three victories and two defeats. Australia topped the group with 15 points, while Haiti finished second with 12.
As a result, Azerbaijan will continue their campaign in Tier C, where 32 teams will compete for positions from 65th to 96th in the overall World Cup standings.
Among Azerbaijan's potential opponents are several notable national teams, including France, Japan, India, Belarus and Nigeria.
The complete Tier C lineup:
France (A), Malawi (B), Nicaragua (C), Tunisia (D), Chile (E), Liberia (F), Indonesia (G), Hungary (H), Scotland (I), Japan (J), India (K), Benin (L), Thailand (M), Yemen (N), Belarus (O), Honduras (P), Luxembourg (Q), Vietnam (R), Trinidad and Tobago (S), Mozambique (T), Uganda (U), Gibraltar (V), Kazakhstan (W), Moldova (X), Rwanda (Y), Panama (Z), New Caledonia (AA), Cuba (AB), Namibia (AC), Nigeria (AD), Afghanistan (AE), Azerbaijan (AF).
Azerbaijan's first opponent in the Tier C playoffs has not yet been officially announced. The second stage will begin on October 28.
Even if the hosts lose their opening playoff match, they will remain in the competition and continue fighting for their final position.
The highest possible finish for Azerbaijan is 65th place among the tournament's 189 participating national teams.
