Pakistan has announced a 14-player squad for the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival 2026 in Azerbaijan. The tournament will give the country’s young footballers a chance to compete internationally.
The team is scheduled to leave Islamabad for Baku on October 20. The players will face young footballers from different countries during the event.
The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) selected the players based on their performances in the National U-17 Championship 2026. The competition will help the selected players gain experience at the international level.
Taking part in the event will also allow Pakistan’s young footballers to represent their country on a global platform. Their participation marks an important moment for youth football in Pakistan.
FIFA U-15 Tournament to Feature Teams From Around the World
The inaugural competition is expected to involve teams from around 190 FIFA member associations. The teams will be placed into 32 groups for the opening stage.
Group winners will move into the highest competition tier. Other teams will compete across five additional tiers, depending on their results in the group stage.
Organisers plan to hold nearly 1,000 matches over six matchdays. The games are scheduled to take place at the Hovsan Competition Complex in Baku.
The opening match and tier finals are set for October 30 at Crystal Hall. The event will bring together young players from different countries and offer them opportunities to test their skills against international opponents.
Matches will use an eight-a-side format, with two halves lasting 20 minutes each. This format differs from traditional football, which normally features 11 players on each team.
The competition is designed to give more young players the opportunity to take part. It will also offer a different playing experience for the participating teams.
Pakistan’s 14 Selected Players
The PFF has named the following players for the tournament:
- 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
The selected players will represent Pakistan in the youth football event in Azerbaijan. They will have the opportunity to develop their skills and learn from competing against teams from other countries.
FIFA Plans Girls’ Tournament for 2027
FIFA also plans to organise a girls’ edition of the competition in 2027. Both boys’ and girls’ events are expected to become annual tournaments from 2028.
The planned expansion could create more opportunities for young footballers around the world. It also highlights the importance of developing youth football through international competition.
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For Pakistan, participation in the Azerbaijan event will provide valuable international exposure for its young players. The experience could support their future development and contribute to the growth of football in the country.
