Kazakhstan U-15 to Compete in Inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026

The competition is organised by FIFA as a football festival and is part of FIFA's global youth development programme. The tournament is designed to identify promising young players at an early stage, improve their technical skills, develop their decision-making and football intelligence, and prepare them for future international competitions, including the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Matches at the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026 will be played in an eight-a-side format, including goalkeepers. Specifically designed for this age group, the format gives players more touches of the ball, encourages quicker decision-making and allows them to become more involved in attacking play.

Under the tournament's preliminary regulations, players born in 2011 and 2012 will be eligible to participate. Each squad will consist of 14 players, including at least two goalkeepers, as well as six members of the coaching staff.

The tournament will feature two phases: a qualification stage followed by the tournament stage. All participating teams will continue to play matches throughout the event, regardless of their results in the earlier stages, ensuring every player gains valuable international match experience.