OMM Newsroom
Hannu Tihinen, FIFA’s chief of high-performance athlete development, has praised the organisation of the U-15 World Cup and festival in Baku. The former Finland international and member of FIFA’s Technical Study Group shared his views on the tournament on the federation’s official website.
Tihinen said the competition, which brought together representatives of 189 national associations, showed how football can unite the world. He said the tournament’s importance was reflected in teams from different countries socialising in the athletes’ village after their matches.
Organisation and importance of the tournament
The FIFA representative said Baku was hosting the largest tournament in sporting history involving national teams. He praised the organisation and the facilities at the athletes’ village, where he spent three days.
He also noted that, for some young players, travelling to Baku was their first trip abroad and an opportunity to meet peers from other countries. Participants learn about one another’s cultures, sing together and dance, Tihinen said.
The U-15 World Cup is being held under the Talent Development Programme, overseen by Arsene Wenger, head of FIFA’s Global Football Development Division. The programme aims to give promising players equal opportunities to realise their potential, regardless of their country.
About 1,000 matches are planned in Baku. Most will be played at the Hovsan Sports Complex, while the opening match and finals across different age categories will take place at Baku Crystal Hall. Matches are played in an 8-a-side format, with two 20-minute halves.
Tihinen stressed that development, international experience, learning and enjoying football are as important as winning. The first FIFA U-15 World Cup and festival began on October 24 and will run through October 30.
