Pakistan Name 14-Member Squad for FIFA U-15 World Cup Festival in Baku
The Pakistan U15 World Cup squad has been confirmed for the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival 2026, with the Pakistan Football Federation announcing a 14-member team on Friday for the tournament in Baku, Azerbaijan. The young Shaheens will depart from Islamabad on October 20.
The tournament marks a historic milestone for Pakistan football. The national side will become the first Pakistani team to take part in a FIFA World Cup event, according to the PFF.
Head coach Ehsanullah Khan finalised the squad after the players earned their places through performances in the PFF National U-17 Championship 2026. A-Sports confirmed the 14-member squad on Friday. The federation says the festival will give the youngsters valuable international exposure and a chance to experience different footballing cultures.
Pakistan U15 World Cup squad: the 14 players
Shayan Abdul Jabbar Marwat, Muhammad Salman, Muhammad Alam, Maqbool Ahmed, Shahraz Khan, Rameez Riza, Ameer Hamza, Muhammad Mustafa, Ilhan Khan Ali, Bakshi Hamal Khan, Owais Faiz, Zain ul Abideen, Danish Masih and Kaleem Ullah.
Pakistan’s group and qualification fixtures
Pakistan have been drawn against Gambia, South Sudan, Cyprus, Jordan and Nigeria in the qualification stage, according to the published group draw. The young Shaheens open their campaign against Gambia on October 24, then face South Sudan and Cyprus on October 25. The group stage concludes with matches against Jordan and Nigeria on October 26.
Results from the qualification round will decide which performance tier each team enters for the tournament stage. The qualification phase runs from October 24 to 26, followed by a rest day on October 27. The tournament stage then takes place from October 28 to 30.
How the tournament works
The inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival has drawn teams representing 191 nations, initially divided into 32 groups. Group winners advance to the Tier A competition, while the remaining sides compete across five other performance tiers based on their group results. Each tier will crown its own winner, and the Tier A champion will be recognised as the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup champion.
Nearly 1,000 matches are scheduled across six matchdays at the Hovsan Competition Complex in Baku. The opening match and the tier finals, set for October 30, will be held at the Crystal Hall in Azerbaijan’s capital.
The competition follows an eight-a-side format with two 20-minute halves. FIFA designed the format to maximise player development, with rolling substitutions and rules that keep the game moving. No team is eliminated early, so every squad plays through the full week. The expansion of FIFA’s tournament calendar has also sharpened the focus on the organisation’s leadership, with former Tottenham defender Ramon Vega challenging Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency.
Why this matters for Pakistan football
A FIFA World Cup appearance at any level is new territory for Pakistan. The senior men’s team has never qualified, and the youth game has long lacked structure and funding. A 14-player squad in Baku puts Pakistan’s name on a FIFA teamsheet for the first time.
FIFA will stage the girls’ edition next year and run both tournaments annually from 2028. A solid showing in Baku would give the PFF a foundation for a proper youth pathway, and it gives young Pakistani players something their predecessors never had: a World Cup to aim for.
Pakistan’s recent football headlines have offered some encouragement. The national side lifted an international title earlier this year, and the women’s team made history in the FIFA Series. The senior World Cup this year showed the stage these youngsters are aiming for, with Spain’s victory over Saudi Arabia among the tournament’s standout results. The U-15 trip to Baku continues that slow rebuild.
What happens next
The squad leaves Islamabad on October 20 and will have a few days to settle in Baku before the qualification stage begins on October 24. After the group matches, the PFF will confirm which tier Pakistan enters for the October 28 to 30 tournament stage. The tier finals take place at the Crystal Hall on October 30.
Frequently asked questions
When does Pakistan play its first match at the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival?
Pakistan open their campaign against Gambia on October 24. They then play South Sudan and Cyprus on October 25, and Jordan and Nigeria on October 26.
Where is the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival 2026 being held?
The tournament takes place in Baku, Azerbaijan. Most matches are at the Hovsan Competition Complex, with the opening match and tier finals at the Crystal Hall.
What is the format of the FIFA U-15 World Cup?
Teams play eight-a-side matches with two 20-minute halves. After a qualification stage, sides are placed into six performance tiers. Group winners enter Tier A, and each tier crowns its own winner.
Has Pakistan ever played in a FIFA World Cup event before?
No. The U-15 squad in Baku will be the first Pakistani team to participate in a FIFA World Cup event, according to the PFF.
