Russia Included in FIFA Under-15 World Cup Draw in Azerbaijan
Russia have been placed in the Under-15 World Cup draw in Azerbaijan, marking a limited return to FIFA competition for the country’s youth football after sanctions were imposed following the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Under-15 World Cup at a glance
| Item | Detail | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Tournament dates | October 24-30 | Azerbaijan hosts the pilot event |
| Teams | 191 | All 211 member associations were invited in December |
| Russia’s group | Turkey, Afghanistan, Djibouti, Sierra Leone, Sudan | Six-team pool |
| Match format | Eight-a-side, 20-minute halves | Games played on reduced-size pitches |
The decision applies only to the grassroots festival competition and does not lift the wider ban on Russian senior international teams or clubs. Russia remain excluded from major events including the European Championship and Champions League.
Senior restrictions were previously supported by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with European federations having indicated that fixtures involving Russian sides could trigger widespread boycotts. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has maintained that Russia’s senior teams will not be readmitted while the war in Ukraine continues.
FIFA has presented the new Under-15 tournament as a way to give countries with little prospect of reaching established international finals meaningful games against overseas opposition. The governing body said the competition was created to tackle the lack of competitive opportunities for associations for whom qualification for FIFA tournaments is exceptionally difficult.
Russia’s inclusion comes despite several notable absences from the Azerbaijan event. Ukraine, Germany, the Netherlands and the United States will not take part, reflecting the political tensions still surrounding the competition.
The boys’ tournament is scheduled to become the first step in an expanded youth festival programme. A girls’ edition is planned for next year, before both events are intended to move to an annual calendar from 2028.
