The first-ever FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival will officially begin in Baku today, October 24, bringing together young footballers from around the world.
As reported by İdman.Biz, Azerbaijan will host the historic competition, which is expected to feature nearly 1,000 matches involving representatives of 189 countries.
The opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the tournament's inaugural and final matches, will take place at Baku Crystal Hall.
Azerbaijan will be represented by its U-16 national team, coached by Famil Khalilov. The hosts have been drawn into Group AF alongside Andorra, Australia, Haiti, Israel and Timor-Leste.
The Azerbaijani team will begin its campaign against Timor-Leste today at 19:30 Baku time, shortly after the official opening ceremony, scheduled for 19:00 at Baku Crystal Hall.
The tournament marks a significant milestone for youth football, offering young players from different continents an opportunity to gain international experience and compete against teams from diverse footballing backgrounds.
For Azerbaijan, hosting the inaugural edition represents another major international sporting event and an opportunity to showcase the country's football infrastructure and commitment to developing the next generation of players.
The FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival will run until October 30.
