Azerbaijan is preparing to stage the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in October 2026 and to co-host the FIFA U-20 World Cup with Uzbekistan in 2027.
President Ilham Aliyev said preparations for both tournaments were proceeding at a high level during a September 29 meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Aliyev said staging the competitions should contribute to football development in Azerbaijan and across the wider region. He thanked FIFA’s leadership for supporting the country’s state-backed efforts to expand the sport.
Infantino said Azerbaijan’s first FIFA U-15 tournament would draw attention from the international football community. The meeting also covered cooperation between Azerbaijan and FIFA and possible future projects.
The FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival is scheduled for October 22-31, with the first matches to be played October 24. FIFA says the inaugural boys’ competition will use an eight-a-side format and two 20-minute halves, designed to increase playing time and development opportunities.
Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan were selected as joint hosts of the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup by the FIFA Council in October 2025. Azerbaijan has established an organizing committee to coordinate preparations for both youth tournaments.
Sources: FIFA U-15 tournament guide; FIFA U-20 host decision; Vesti Baku.