Sports

Arsene Wenger Commends FIFA U-15 World Cup’s Inclusive 8v8 Format in Baku

By Adhe Makayasa

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, now FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, praised the inaugural FIFA U‑15 World Cup and Festival held in Baku. The week‑long event, which began on October 22, brought together more than 3,000 players, coaches and officials from 189 member associations. The competition, approved by the FIFA Council in December 2025 for players born in 2011 or 2012, uses an eight‑a‑side format on smaller pitches with 20‑minute halves. Nearly 1,000 matches are being played across 20 simultaneous pitches at the purpose‑built Hovsan Competition Complex.

Each delegation consists of 14 players and up to six staff members. Teams play four or five round‑robin group matches seeded by senior and youth rankings before entering one of six performance tiers for another four or five games. Wenger said the format “brings the whole world together in one week” and that the reduced number of players and shorter games allow smaller nations to compete against larger ones, giving all teams a chance to learn and improve.

He added that the tournament provides an opportunity for emerging prospects to test themselves against elite opposition, helping them realise their potential. Wenger emphasized that no country is entitled to more success than another, but the competition level is important for development.

The final matchday on Friday, October 30, will crown the winners of all six tiers at Baku’s Crystal Hall, with the Tier A champions receiving the overall trophy. After this boys’ event, the 2027 edition will feature girls’ teams worldwide. From 2028 onward, all 211 FIFA member associations will be invited to enter both boys’ and girls’ squads in separate competitions.