India Under-15 men’s football team head coach Bibiano Fernandes has announced a 14-member squad for the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026, scheduled to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from October 24 to 31.
The Blue Colts will look to make a strong impression in the international competition, which will feature 189 national teams competing across 32 groups in an eight-a-side format.
India have been placed in Group K alongside Bahrain, Cameroon, Grenada, Laos and Senegal. The young Indian side will face a demanding schedule, playing five qualification matches within just three days.
Fernandes and his players have been preparing for the tournament through training sessions and international friendly matches.
As part of their preparations, India travelled to Doha last week to face Aspire Academy U-15, a team that forms the core of Qatar’s national under-15 side.
Both friendly encounters ended in 2-2 draws, providing the Indian youngsters with valuable competitive experience ahead of the global event.
Following their matches in Qatar, the Blue Colts returned to Delhi and continued their training camp before departing for Azerbaijan.
India will begin their qualification campaign against Laos on October 24. They will then face Cameroon and Grenada in two matches on October 25 before completing their group fixtures against Bahrain and Senegal on October 26.
The tightly packed schedule will test the players’ fitness, consistency and ability to recover between matches.
The 14-player squad includes two goalkeepers, five defenders, five midfielders and two forwards, giving Fernandes options across different positions.
Dhannya Desai and Jenit Ningthoujam have been selected as the two goalkeepers, while Birjit Singh Amom, Muhammad Sohil Khan, Nara Meitei Loushambam, Pratham Kumar and Soumojit Sarkar will provide defensive options.
The midfield department features C Lalhmingropuia, Deepak Singh Arambam, Nibash Meetei Wahengbam, R Lalremruatfela and Victor Lalawmpuia.
Macdonnish Ngairangbam and Ronandev Aheibam are the two forwards named in the squad.
The inaugural tournament offers India’s emerging footballers an opportunity to gain international exposure against teams from different continents.
With preparations nearing completion, the Blue Colts will aim to carry the experience gained from their Qatar friendlies into the competition.
India’s opening encounter against Laos on October 24 will mark the beginning of their campaign in Azerbaijan, with the team hoping to deliver competitive performances throughout the qualification stage.
