Following the approval by the FIFA Council last December of a U-15 tournament for boys and girls as part of FIFA’s unwavering commitment to promoting the youth game, the Bureau of the Council has appointed Azerbaijan as the host of the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026™️.

The First edition of new FIFA youth competition will take place from 22 to 31 October 2026.

While the first edition will be open to boys’ teams from all FIFA Member Associations, the second instalment in 2027 will feature girls’ teams only.

Building on this momentum, from 2028 onwards, all Member Associations will be invited to participate with both their boys’ and girls’ U-15 teams in two separate competitions.

The decision follows a thorough assessment by the FIFA administration and takes into account the world-class sporting and general infrastructure in the host country, which is capable of welcoming thousands of children and support staff in a centralised location.

For Rwanda, the introduction of the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival represents a significant opportunity to further strengthen youth football development. Through FERWAFA’s ongoing grassroots and talent development initiatives, young Rwandan players will have a new international platform to showcase their abilities, gain valuable experience, and contribute to the long-term growth and competitiveness of Rwandan football on the global stage.