FIFA is launching a brand-new youth event: the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026, scheduled for October 24-30, 2026, in Baku, Azerbaijan. The first edition is for boys, with around 190 member associations expected, and it is built around 8v8 games, modified rules and a festival program for players and coaches. For youth coaches, the format itself is the most interesting part, because it reflects how FIFA thinks young players should develop.
What Is the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival?
It is a centralized international event for under-15 national teams, mixing competitive games with education and cultural exchange. FIFA’s Bureau of the Council appointed Azerbaijan as host in June 2026. In September, FIFA released full details in an explainer featuring Arsène Wenger, FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development.
Key facts confirmed by FIFA:
- Dates: October 24-30, 2026
- Venues: Hovsan Competition Complex and Crystal Hall in Baku (Crystal Hall hosts the opening match and tier finals)
- Participants: 190 member associations and about 3,000 participants, according to FIFA
- Matches: about 950 games over six matchdays
- Eligibility: boys born in 2011 or 2012
- Squads: 14 players and up to six staff per team
FIFA has said a girls’ edition will follow in 2027. The event’s long-term plan, as set out when the host was announced, is to include both boys’ and girls’ competitions from 2028.
How the Format Works
This is not a traditional World Cup with a few dozen teams and early eliminations. FIFA designed it so every team plays a lot of games against a variety of opponents.
Two stages and six tiers
- Qualification stage: 4-5 round-robin group games. Every group includes teams from at least three confederations.
- Tournament stage: 4-5 more games, with teams placed into one of six tiers based on results.
- Winners at every level: each tier crowns a winner, and the Tier A champion is the overall champion.
Each team is guaranteed at least nine games. That is the key design choice: nobody travels across the world to play three games and go home.
8v8 with modified rules
- 8v8 games with two 20-minute halves
- Field size of 68 x 47 meters, with full-size goals
- Kick-ins instead of throw-ins
- Offside applies only inside lines marked 14 meters from each goal line
- Unlimited substitutions
The festival side
Teams share an athletes’ village with life-skills programs and a Learning Zone for players, and FIFA has highlighted opportunities for coaches and technical staff to exchange ideas across football cultures.
What FIFA Says the Event Is For
Wenger explained the thinking in FIFA’s explainer: “At this age, the most important thing is to play. Young players need meaningful matches, different opponents and different football experiences in order to develop.” He added: “Talent exists everywhere, but the opportunities available to young players are not always the same.”
The event is part of FIFA’s wider talent development work, giving smaller nations meaningful international games they might otherwise never get at this age.
What Is Not Yet Confirmed
As of early October 2026, FIFA had not published full group draws or a complete list of participating teams in the sources we reviewed, and we could not confirm details of individual squads, including the United States. Check FIFA’s official releases for updates as the event approaches.
Lessons for Youth Coaches
You do not need a World Cup to borrow FIFA’s ideas. The format lines up closely with good youth coaching principles, and with the player-centred approach we teach in Coerver Coaching.
1. Maximize playing time
A nine-game guarantee and unlimited subs say one thing: development comes from playing. At your next tournament or league weekend, track minutes and aim for roughly equal time for every player.
2. Use smaller numbers for more touches
8v8 on a reduced field means more touches, more 1v1 duels and more decisions per player than 11v11. Build practices around small-sided games, from 1v1 up to 4v4. Our youth soccer curriculum by age group shows how to progress numbers as players get older.
3. Change rules to shape behavior
Kick-ins keep the ball on the ground and in play. A reduced offside zone encourages forwards to run in behind and midfielders to play forward. Try your own constraints, for example “goals count double after a successful 1v1,” and watch how quickly players adapt.
4. Mix up opponents
FIFA’s groups deliberately mix confederations. Look for scrimmages against clubs with different styles, so players learn to solve new problems.
5. Let players solve it
A festival setting puts players in charge of their own experience. Resist directing every move from the sideline; our article on not being a “joystick” coach explains why.
Try this session: Play 4v4 with kick-ins and a “14-yard offside zone” marked by cones. Rotate opponents every six minutes so every team plays everyone. Finish by asking players what changed in their decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival?
October 24-30, 2026, in Baku, Azerbaijan, at the Hovsan Competition Complex and Crystal Hall.
Is there a girls’ FIFA U-15 event?
FIFA has said the 2026 edition is for boys and a girls’ edition will follow in 2027.
Why does the tournament use 8v8?
FIFA uses 8v8 with modified rules to give players more touches and decisions. Each team plays at least nine games, putting playing time first.
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