Cyprus takes part in the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan, from October 24 to October 30.
Cyprus Football Association (CFA) said in a press release that the event will feature 191 national youth teams from around the world. This is a new FIFA initiative aimed at giving all member associations the opportunity to participate in an international tournament, including countries that rarely qualify for global competitions.
Eligible players are those born in 2011 or 2012. Each team’s squad for the tournament will consist of 14 players.
Matches will be played in an 8-a-side format rather than the standard 11-a-side. Each game will last 40 minutes (two 20-minute halves) and be played on a smaller-sized pitch.
Cyprus has been drawn into Group AD and will face Nigeria, Gambia, Jordan, Pakistan, and South Sudan in the first phase. The coach of the Cypriot team for the tournament will be U-16 coach Michalis Markou.
In particular the match with Jordan takes place on October 24, with Pakistan and Gambia the next day, with South Sudan and Nigeria on October 26.
Upon completion of the qualifying phase, all teams will proceed to the second phase of the tournament, playing additional matches through the final day of the event, regardless of their ranking.