Published: September 21, 2026
MONROVIA — Liberia’s Under-15 national team, the Young Lone Star, will face Morocco, the Philippines, Curaçao, Costa Rica and Belize in Group F of the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival in Azerbaijan.
The tournament is scheduled for Oct. 22-30, 2026, in Baku, with Liberia set to make its debut in FIFA’s new global youth competition.
The competition brings together 191 FIFA member associations, giving Liberia a chance to showcase its emerging talent on the international stage at the U-15 level.
Unlike traditional FIFA youth tournaments, the event will be played in an 8-a-side format, with two 20-minute halves. Players born in 2011 or 2012 are eligible to participate.
Teams will first compete in a group stage before moving into a second phase divided into six performance tiers. Each team is guaranteed continued competition through the final matchday, with the winner of Tier A crowned the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival champion.
For Liberia, the tournament offers another platform for developing young footballers and comes as the Liberia Football Association continues its efforts to strengthen the country’s youth football pathway.
The LFA’s Technical Development Scheme has conducted scouting activities across several counties, with selected young players brought together at the George Weah Technical Center in Careysburg for football development and education.
The Young Lone Star will now prepare for a Group F campaign against opponents from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central America and North America.
FIFA says the inaugural tournament is designed to provide young players from all member associations with meaningful international competition and exposure to different football styles and cultures.
More than 3,000 young players, coaches and officials are expected to participate, with nearly 1,000 matches scheduled during the tournament.
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