Twenty African nations set for FIFA World Cup debuts at U-15 tournament

Twenty African countries will make their first appearance at a FIFA World Cup when the inaugural U-15 tournament takes place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 24 to 29 October 2026.

The event will mark the first World Cup appearance, across any age group or gender, for Comoros, Gabon, Madagascar, Mauritania, Chad, Central African Republic, Botswana, Djibouti, Eswatini, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Liberia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Sao Tome-et-Principe and Zimbabwe.

The 20 nations represent 20 of the 54 member associations of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Globally, 78 of the 189 participating countries will be competing in a FIFA world tournament for the first time.

Libya and Eritrea are the only CAF members not taking part in the competition.

Several of Africa’s established football nations will also be involved, including Algeria, coached by Karim Ziani; Morocco, led by Karim Meftal; Cameroon, represented by Franck Cedric Onana; Cote d’Ivoire, whose team includes Gnamin Souh Kouame Matiriel; Senegal, featuring Ousmane Diop; and DR Congo, represented by Zico Tumba.

New format designed to maximise participation

The U-15 World Cup will feature 32 groups, running from A to AF, and is expected to stage more than 1,000 matches. It is open to players born in 2011 and 2012.

Unlike traditional FIFA World Cups, the tournament will begin with a three-day qualification phase before moving into a final stage split across six divisions. The format is designed to give every participant several international matches and avoid early elimination.

The winner of Division A will be crowned the champion of the first edition.

Matches will be played in an eight-a-side format on pitches adapted for the age group. Games will consist of two 20-minute halves, with unlimited substitutions allowed.

FIFA says the structure is intended to place emphasis on player development and enjoyment of the game rather than results alone.

The programme will extend beyond the matches, with educational activities, meetings with football legends and awareness campaigns also planned. The tournament has been conceived as a festival open to all invited member associations.

The FIFA Council announced in December 2025 that U-15 events would be created for both boys and girls. Following the first men’s edition, a separate women’s tournament will be held in 2027, with annual editions for both categories scheduled to begin in 2028.