Türkiye and Russia draw same group at FIFA U-15 World Cup in Baku

The first FIFA World Cup and festival for boys under 15 will begin in Baku on October 24. Türkiye and Russia will play in the same group, while the tournament will be Russia’s first FIFA competition with its flag and anthem since 2022.

The first FIFA World Cup and festival for boys under 15 will begin in Baku on October 24. Following the draw, the national teams of Türkiye and Russia were placed in Group AE, alongside Afghanistan, Djibouti, Sierra Leone and Sudan. The Russia-Türkiye match is scheduled for October 26.

The tournament will be Russia’s first official FIFA competition since 2022 in which the national team will compete under its state flag and anthem. Russia was admitted because the tournament is open to all FIFA members; the decision does not lift the existing UEFA restrictions. Ukraine is not taking part in the tournament and called on other federations to boycott it, while Germany and Iceland also declined to participate.

Nearly 1,000 matches

Дети играют в футбол (иллюстрация)

The tournament features 189 national teams from six confederations. The draw initially included 191 teams, but Eritrea and Libya withdrew. Matches are played in an eight-a-side format, with two 20-minute halves, and each team’s squad includes 14 footballers born in 2011 or 2012. Nearly 1,000 matches will be held at a purpose-built sports complex in the Baku settlement of Govsan, while the opening ceremony and finals will take place at the Baku Crystal Hall.

After the group stage, which will run from October 24 to 26, the teams will be divided into six levels, and none of the participants will be eliminated. The winner of the top-level A will be crowned champion, with the finals scheduled for October 30. “Talent is everywhere, but young players do not always have equal opportunities to prove themselves at the international level,” said Arsene Wenger, head of FIFA’s global football development division.

In 2027, FIFA will hold the first edition of this tournament for girls, and from 2028 both competitions will be held annually.

Türkiye and Russia draw same group at FIFA U-15 World Cup in Baku