While thousands of elite U-15 players from every corner of the globe were competing nearby in the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival™, football’s unique power to inspire and empower children of all ages was also on display at the spectacular Baku Olympic Stadium in the Azerbaijani capital.

The scale there was smaller but just as encouraging, as a lively Football for Schools Festival for students and educators unfolded on 29 October. Among those in attendance at the Olympic Stadium was FIFA Legend and Football for Schools Ambassador Hristo Stoichkov, who still embraces the importance and benefit of grassroots football despite the heights he attained during a celebrated career.

“First and foremost, it’s about educating them, building friendships, preventing bullying and creating a strong group,” Stoichkov said as he discussed the day’s activities. “We’re mixing the boys and girls together so they can start working together. And honestly, I think the programme is absolutely vital, and I hope it continues to grow because children’s lives are so important.”

Launched in 2019 in conjunction with UNESCO, Football for Schools (F4S) weaves football into lessons and curriculums and is a foundational component of FIFA’s mission to make the game more accessible – all while promoting physical and mental health, life skills, unity and hope among the world’s youth. More than 60 million students across all six continental confederations have benefitted from the F4S initiative, which includes an app available in dozens of languages.

Following the activities and demonstrations at the stadium, F4S diplomas were awarded to educators who had been certified to implement the programme.

“It’s about educating teachers first, because there’s a big difference between a coach and a teacher. Our job is to train the teachers. We give them a lot of work. We provide them with plenty of resources,” said Stoichkov, who famously led Bulgaria to fourth place at the 1994 FIFA World Cup USA™.

“They then incorporate it into their lessons and into the school. Why? This programme is important for getting the children away from their phones, and ensuring they do the things that an athlete needs to do. And this programme is absolutely vital to me, and we’re running it all over the world,” he continued. “Even though we’ve been in elite football for so many years, we have to show this kind of care for these children.”

F4S exercises also help strengthen bonds among the participants and infuse good values, Stoichkov emphasised.

“Values are, shall we say, about knowing how to communicate, about having friends, about teaching a child that they must help another child,” he said. “And this is our duty in this line of work: fostering friendships. It gives me great satisfaction to see, in so many of the countries I’m travelling through, first of all how the children go out of their way to greet one another. They don’t just shake hands. No, they hug and kiss each other. This is fundamental. That’s how they grow.”

The events at the Baku Olympic Stadium were infused with additional meaning and impact thanks to the ongoing FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026™, a tournament of unprecedented scale that is providing a first-of-its-kind platform for talented boys from 189 FIFA Member Associations (MAs). More than 2,500 players are participating in Baku and 78 MAs are making their debut in a FIFA competition. The event will welcome girls next year and then players of both genders in 2028.

“It brings tears to my eyes,” Stoichkov said as he discussed its significance.

“First of all, I’d like to thank the President of the Azerbaijan Football Federation for organising this fantastic event. I’d also like to thank FIFA for supporting this great project. Thank you to our President, Gianni Infantino, and thank you to Arsène (Wenger) for coming here,” Stoichkov said.

“I realise that this is the first time this tournament has been held. It’s the first time these young players have left their home countries to take part in such an important tournament. They’re fighting for their country, for their colours, and for their reputation. We’ve got some top-class coaches here. And, honestly, it’s absolutely vital, and I really hope this continues. I’m sure the female players are too. I’d love to see them,” he said.

“There’s no doubt that some top players will come out of this,” Stoichkov concluded. “But the most important thing is the friendship that unites so many, many countries. They’re not divided. They embrace one another, greet one another and play together. This is important.”