The FIFA U15 World Cup is currently taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan, featuring 189 teams in a massive “festival format” that sees nearly 1,000 matches played over nine days, Süddeutsche Zeitung reported. The tournament serves as a testing ground for new gameplay rules championed by FIFA Director Arsène Wenger and marks the first FIFA-sanctioned event involving Russia since the start of the invasion of Ukraine.
Baku hosts 189 teams in high-volume format
The tournament is larger in scale than any previous FIFA World Cup, utilizing 20 small-sided pitches to accommodate 32 groups. After the initial round, teams are divided into six performance levels based on their results, with a winner crowned for each level. This structure is intended to provide global experience to member associations that typically find standard FIFA qualification hurdles too high.
According to the report, 78 of the participating nations have never appeared in a FIFA World Cup. To manage the volume of play, the tournament employs a modified format: teams field eight players instead of eleven, with squad sizes capped at 14 players and a maximum of six staff members per delegation.
Wenger tests rules to increase scoring
FIFA Director Arsène Wenger is using the U15 tournament to pilot rules designed to make football faster and more attractive. These changes include replacing traditional throw-ins with “kick-ins” and moving the offside line to 14 meters from the goal line to discourage deep defensive blocks and reward spatial defending.
Matches last 40 minutes and feature “flying substitutions,” allowing players to enter and exit without stopping play. These adjustments have resulted in an average of five goals per game—two more than the current average for the German Bundesliga over a full 90-minute match.
Russia and Belarus return to FIFA competition
The event is the first FIFA tournament to include Russia since the start of the attack. While Russian teams remain suspended from UEFA and FIFA competitions for “security reasons” and to ensure “smooth operations,” the Russian Football Union remained a full member of FIFA, allowing the federation to be formally invited to the U15 event. Belarus is also participating.
The Ukrainian national team declined to participate before the inclusion of Russia and Belarus was confirmed. Other nations that opted out of the Baku tournament include the United States, North Korea, Libya, and Eritrea, some of whom cited solidarity with Ukraine.
European federations provide conflicting responses
The German Football Association (DFB) did not send a team to Baku, citing sporting reasons. The DFB stated that the tournament coincided with the first half of the national U15 competition and that the federation is currently in a scouting process where they avoid nominating fixed squads for international tournaments to ensure age-appropriate development. The DFB also noted a desire to protect young talents from the pressures of professional football, including public performance evaluations and interest from player agents.
The English Football Association (FA) participated in the tournament but declined to provide a detailed justification for its attendance. In response to inquiries, the FA stated it would not comment further due to the minority status of the players.
Political tensions on the pitch and in the host city
The tournament layout allows for matches between nations with severe diplomatic conflicts. Potential matchups include Israel against Palestine or Iran, despite Tehran’s long-standing ban on its athletes competing against Israelis. Similarly, the tournament allows for games between Serbia and Kosovo, and Spain and Gibraltar—pairings that are typically restricted in UEFA competitions.
Armenia declined to participate due to previous armed conflicts with Azerbaijan. Human rights organizations have criticized the selection of Baku, alleging “sportswashing” to mask domestic human rights violations. FIFA defended the choice, citing Azerbaijan’s “first-class sports and other infrastructure.” Azerbaijan is also scheduled to host the U20 World Cup in 2027.
U15 World Cup rules differ from FIFA standards
| Feature | U15 World Cup (Baku) | Standard FIFA/UEFA |
|---|---|---|
| Match Duration | 40 Minutes | 90 Minutes |
| Restart Method | Kick-In | Throw-In |
| Offside Line | 14m from goal | Variable/Tactical |
| Substitutions | Flying/Continuous | Limited/Stopped Play |
Upcoming youth tournament milestones
FIFA has confirmed that the next U15 World Cup will be held in 2027, specifically for girls. The host city and country for the 2027 girls’ tournament have not yet been announced.
FIFA Gianni Infantino, a recipient of the Russian Order of Friendship, stated in February that Russia must be reintegrated into international football.
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