FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival™ newcomers writing football’s next chapter

For many of the young players walking into the Athletes’ Village at the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival™, this is not simply a tournament. It is their first encounter with the world.

Day 1 - FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026

Growing the women’s game (October 2026)

Inside FIFA reviews women's football development activity during October 2026 with news from five confederations, a significant boost for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027™, and more. 

FIFA Women’s Football Campaign, Tavua, Fiji

FIFA Women’s Football Campaign, Tavua, Fiji.

FIFA Women’s Football Campaign in Fiji 

Guam at FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival™: ‘We can compete with everybody else in the world’

For Guam’s U-15 squad, the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026™ in Baku, Azerbaijan has simply been a dream come true. 

Guam players form a huddle

Football opens up the world at 15 for Azerbaijan 2026™ participants

For many of the young players at the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026™, the adventure began long before kick-off – right at the airport.

FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026

‘We don’t have to choose’: Referees explain how FIFA helps them combine motherhood with their careers

FIFA has enhanced its support for international female match officials by offering opportunities to balance motherhood with their career, makig it possible to be a FIFA World Cup referee and a mother.

Myriam Marcotte poses for a portrait 

Referee Myriam Marcotte during a training session

Myriam Marcotte: "The opportunity that we have to stay involved is very precious"

Lara Lee

Referees explain how FIFA helps them combine motherhood with their careers

Where the players honour players: Special awards at the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026™

The FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026™ in Baku, Azerbaijan, is a tournament of many firsts: the inaugural edition of a global celebration of youth football, 189 participating teams, and 78 FIFA Member Associations making their FIFA World Cup debut. 

FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival Azerbaijan 2026 Awards 

FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger watches a game at the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026

Arsène Wenger: FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival™ is just how football should be

The FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival™, bringing together players from 189 countries in a one-week event, is an example of what football should be, FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger has said.

FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger speaks at the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026

Final-day action at FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026™ to take place at Mohammed VI Football Complex

Following an update to the match schedule, the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat will now host the bronze final and the trophy decider at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026™

FIFA U17 Women's World Cup - venue change

Behind the scenes at unprecedented FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026™ in Azerbaijan

During a milestone year of footballing expansion and innovation, and as the game becomes increasingly global, the scope of the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026™ still stands out. The statistics are staggering and unprecedented.

FIFA Under-15 World Cup & Festival 2026 – Day 3

FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival™ creates memorable environment for over 2,500 players

As the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival™ rolls on from qualification into the tournament stage and most attention is on the pitch, some highly trained eyes are keeping a careful watch and offering support to the players off the field.

Day 4 - FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026

FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026™ opens the door to referees from all over the world

For the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026™ in Morocco, FIFA has brought together 54 match officials, all female, from 36 different Member Associations in a culturally diverse team.

Referees at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2026 

Referees of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2026 pose for a photo

IFAB advisory panels continue their focus on tempo disruption

The IFAB’s Football and Technical Advisory Panels (FAP-TAP), which bring together football stakeholders from across the world, held an online meeting chaired by FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström today to discuss recent measures.

Adidas match ball

FIFA publishes Disciplinary and Ethics Report 2025/2026

FIFA today published the seventh annual report on the activities of its independent Disciplinary Committee, Appeal Committee and Ethics Committee, covering the period between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026. 

FIFA World Cup 2030™ venue selection visits to take place across Morocco, Portugal and Spain

FIFA will undertake a series of venue visits across Morocco, Portugal and Spain during November and December this year as part of the ongoing planning process for the FIFA World Cup 2030™.

FIFA World Cup Trophy

Morocco: today’s success, tomorrow’s ambitions

From their historic run at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ to their triumph at the FIFA U-20 World Cup™ in 2025, Morocco have certainly left their mark on the international stage in recent years. Their young talents are now exploring new horizons.

Morocco players pose for a team photograph before the FIFA Under-15 World Cup & Festival 2026 match between Morocco and Curacao

Gianni Infantino delighted as ‘spectacular’ FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival™ unites the world

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has said the first FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival™ is “exactly what we wanted” as it has brought an unprecedented number of FIFA Member Associations (MAs) together in Baku, Azerbaijan.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino poses for a photo with Ethiopia players

FIFA Players’ Voice Panel reiterates full commitment to countering racism and discrimination in football and say: “Our mandate is clear”

The FIFA Players’ Voice Panel (PVP) led by its honorary captain George Weah say they are more determined than ever to rid football of racism and “there is much more to come” following the progress made in its first year.

Meeting of the FIFA Players’ Voice Panel (PVP) in Paris

Liberian football legend George Weah, honorary captain of the FIFA Players’ Voice Panel (PVP)

FIFA Players’ Voice Panel reiterates full commitment to countering racism and discrimination in football

FIFA President Gianni Infantino attends the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026

‘Football belongs to everyone,’ says Gianni Infantino as historic FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival™ kicks off in Azerbaijan

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival™ “truly unites the world” as the first edition of the tournament kicked off in Baku, Azerbaijan.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino poses for a photo with Gibraltar players at the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026

FIFA President Gianni Infantino watches a match at the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026 

FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026 

FIFA President Gianni Infantino gives an interview at the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026

FIFA President Gianni Infantino poses for a photo with Turkmenistan players at the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026

FIFA President Gianni Infantino poses for a photo with a match official at the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026

FIFA President Gianni Infantino poses for a photo with Venezuela players at the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026 

FIFA President Gianni Infantino attends opening day of FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026™

‘They will never forget this’: High-Performance specialist Hannu Tihinen on the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival™

The former Finland international is watching young footballers experience their first journey abroad, make friends and understand what global football means.

Hannu Tihinen, FIFA High Performance Specialist attends an interview 

India: 12,000 players scouted in search of tomorrow’s stars

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) assessed more than 12,000 players as part of a talent scouting operation launched two years ago

India U-15 at the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026™

Exclusive Visa presale for FIFA Women’s Champions Cup Miami 2027™ begins

As the countdown to the final phase of the second edition of the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup™ continues, Visa cardholders are being offered an exclusive, one-week window to secure tickets for the international event.

Gianni Infantino thanks Asian Football Confederation for support 

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has thanked the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for showing its “warm support, trust and unity” at the AFC Extraordinary Congress in Tokyo, Japan.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks at the AFC Extraordinary Congress

From investment to opportunity: Azerbaijan’s path to the global stage

Azerbaijan will host the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026™ from 24-30 October 2026, with 189 FIFA member associations taking part

General View of Hovsan Competition Complex in Baku, Azerbaijan, where the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026 will be played

FIFA brings 23 Member Associations together in Mexico for first Infrastructure Essentials Programme workshop

Workshop held in Mexico City on 15 and 16 October

FIFA Essential Programme in Infrastructure for Member Associations in the Americas workshop - Day 2

78 FIFA Member Associations to make their FIFA World Cup debut at inaugural U-15 World Cup & Festival in Baku

When the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival™ kicks off in Baku on 24 October, football history will be made on an unprecedented scale: of the 189 participating Member Associations, 78 will feature in a FIFA World Cup competition for the first time.

FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026™ 

FIFA opens tender process for media rights to the FIFA World Cup 2030™ and FIFA World Cup 2034™ in the United States and Puerto Rico

FIFA has launched the invitation to tender (ITT) for media rights to the FIFA World Cup 2030™ in the United States and Puerto Rico, with an option for interested parties to also secure the FIFA World Cup 2034™. 

TV camera

Qatar to host final three matches of FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2026™

FIFA has confirmed that Qatar will host the final three matches of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2026™, with continental champions competing for three trophies on 9, 12 and 16 December.

FIFA Intercontinental Cup Trophy in Doha

Bureau of the Council takes key decisions

Following on from the FIFA Council meeting held in Zurich, Switzerland, on 15 October 2026, the Bureau of the Council has taken the following decisions.

FIFA emblem at the Home of FIFA

Bureau of the Council approvals to elevate women’s football competitions and stakeholders

The Bureau of the Council has taken key decisions, which underline FIFA’s steadfast commitment to the development of women’s football globally.

FIFA Women's World Cup Trophy 

Gianni Infantino meets Japan Football Association President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto in Tokyo

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has thanked Japan Football Association (JFA) President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto for his vision and support in expanding opportunities for the next generation of players during a meeting in Tokyo, Japan. 

FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Japan Football Association President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto

FIFA & FIFA President receives apology from ‘The Times’ 

FIFA takes note of an apology published today by The Times following an inaccurate and damaging report.

South African football flourishing thanks to FIFA investment says Danny Jordaan

Still revelling in the afterglow of South Africa’s euphoric, historic run to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ knockout stage, South Africa Football Association (SAFA) President Danny Jordaan has expressed his gratitude to FIFA.

Thapelo Maseko #12 of South Africa celebrates

Spain widen gap atop FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking, Malawi soar

Con la Copa Mundial Femenina de la FIFA™ en el horizonte para todas las selecciones, y con muchas de ellas ya con su puesto asegurado, la nueva edición de la Clasificación Mundial Femenina FIFA/Coca-Cola llega tras 183 partidos 

Alexia Putellas #11 of Spain celebrates scoring her team's first goal with teammates during the international friendly match between United States and Spain at Subaru Park on October 13, 2026 in Chester, Pennsylvania.

FIFA Foundation supports communities affected by devastating flash floods in Nepal

Flood damage has displaced families, disrupted livelihoods and limited access to essential services. FIFA Foundation is working with humanitarian partners to provide emergency assistance to affected communities

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