189 of FIFA’s 211 Member Associations took part in the first tournament, held in Baku, Azerbaijan
Every participating nation scored at least one goal, and every team played from the first day to the last
Spain won the Tier A final as FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised Azerbaijan’s hosting and organisation
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has described the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026™ as “the best we have done in FIFA in the last 120 years”, after Spain won the final against Czechia in Baku, Azerbaijan to conclude a hugely successful and innovative tournament.
“I’m speechless, honestly. This has been such a fantastic tournament,” said the FIFA President, thanking everyone who had travelled to Azerbaijan to witness the event, “the very first, with the whole world”.
All 211 of FIFA’s Member Associations (MAs) were invited and 189 took part, including 78 countries playing in their first FIFA World Cup™, and Mr Infantino highlighted that all 189 also scored at least one goal. “So, we celebrated their first (FIFA) World Cup goal for so many,” he said.
For the FIFA President, that global reach and inclusive opportunity was at the heart of the new tournament.
“Football is for everyone, everywhere. This is what FIFA is about, and we have to give everyone, everywhere in the world, an opportunity, a chance, a hope,” he said. “Every talent has to be able to come and play in a (FIFA) World Cup. (It) doesn’t matter whether his country’s big or small, or rich or poor, whether he’s from far away or close by, it doesn’t matter.”
Mr Infantino said he had visited the village where all the teams stayed and was delighted to meet the players and see them interacting so positively. “Without speaking the (same) language, they communicated. They were all staying in the same village. I was there, I exchanged with them. It was just so beautiful (to witness).
“Fourteen-, 15- year-old boys, coming together and spreading happiness, and joy, and love. They are really genuine and they will take this experience with them for their whole lives. I am extremely happy from a FIFA point of view.”
On the winners on the field of play, the FIFA President said Spain’s young talents were set for a bright future.
“Spain won and won really good. Maybe some of them will be in the next (FIFA) World Cup already,” he added.
Mr Infantino said he had spent the final day meeting more players. “I met so many of the boys today, which is the last day, and they were all happy. They were all happy to play, to participate, to score a goal, to win, to experience, to meet somebody they would otherwise not have the chance to meet, and I think this is simply the best.”
He also paid tribute to the host country who facilitated the tournament and welcomed the world to Baku. “I’m very grateful to Azerbaijan,” he said following a trophy ceremony at Baku Crystal Hall that included the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and the President of the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan, Rovshan Najaf. “They were an incredible host, they did a fantastic organisation.”