Sierra Leone’s national under-15 team has departed Freetown for Baku, Azerbaijan, to compete in the FIFA U-15 World Cup Festival scheduled for October 22-31, 2026, the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has announced.
According to the SLFA, the country will send a 20-member delegation, comprising 14 players and six officials, to the international youth football event.
The delegation is led by Joseph Benedict Mbogba, chairman of the Southern Region Football Association, as the young players prepare to represent Sierra Leone against teams from different countries.
The tournament will use an eight-a-side format designed to provide young footballers with opportunities to develop their technical abilities and gain international competitive experience. The SLFA’s announcement describes the event as bringing together participants from more than 191 countries.
Sierra Leone is scheduled to play five group-stage matches over three days, beginning with Afghanistan on October 24. The team will then face Russia and Sudan on Oct. 25 before taking on Turkey and Djibouti on October 26.
The trip marks an opportunity for the young players to test their abilities against international opposition while gaining experience that could support their future development in the sport.
The SLFA said it remained committed to promoting youth football and supporting the development of emerging players. The association expressed confidence in the team’s preparations as the players head to Baku to represent the country.
The tournament is expected to provide a platform for participating young footballers to showcase their talent and build experience through international competition.