# Pakistan names 14-player squad for its first FIFA World Cup event, the U-15 World Cup and Festival in Baku

Source: Searchable (https://searchable.pk/news/sports/pakistan-names-14-player-squad-for-its-first-fifa-world-cup-event-the-u-15-world)
Type: News article
Author: Searchable Editorial
Published: 17 Oct 2026
Updated: 17 Oct 2026
Retrieved: 17 Oct 2026

> The PFF picked the squad from the National U-17 Championship. The team flies to Azerbaijan on 20 October for an eight-a-side event with teams from about 190 countries.

**The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has announced a 14-player squad for the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the first time Pakistan has taken part in any FIFA World Cup event**, [ProPakistani reported](https://propakistani.pk/2026/10/17/pakistan-announces-14-member-squad-for-historic-fifa-u-15-world-cup/).

The players were picked on their performances at the **PFF National U-17 Championship 2026**. The squad leaves **Islamabad for Baku on Tuesday 20 October**.

## How the U-15 World Cup works

This is not a standard World Cup with a 32-team final round. FIFA has built it as a festival open to almost every member association:

- **About 190 countries** take part, split into **32 groups**.
- **Group winners go into the top tier**; everyone else plays on in **five lower tiers** decided by their group results, so every team keeps playing.
- Matches are **eight-a-side**, with **two halves of 20 minutes**.
- Close to **1,000 matches** are played over **six matchdays**.
- Most games are at the **Hovsan Competition Complex**; the opening match and the tier finals are at **Crystal Hall**.
- The finals are on **Friday 30 October**.

Baku is one hour behind Pakistan, so a 4pm kick-off in Azerbaijan is 5pm PKT. Pakistan's group and fixtures had not been published when the squad was named; we will add them when FIFA releases the draw.

## Why it matters

Pakistan has never played at a FIFA World Cup at any level. A format that guarantees every team several matches against foreign opposition gives Pakistan's youngest players international minutes that the domestic game rarely offers.

## What is next for Pakistan football

The senior team's next fixtures and the PFF's domestic calendar are on our [sports desk](/news/sports). For readers following the Asian Games, our [Asian Games 2026 schedule in Pakistan time](/news/sports/asian-games-2026-schedule-pakistan-time) has every Pakistan event.

*Searchable does not publish the names of the players, as all are under 18.*

## Frequently asked questions

**When does the FIFA U-15 World Cup 2026 finish?**

The opening match and tier finals are on 30 October 2026 at Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan.

**How many players are in Pakistan's U-15 squad?**

14 players, picked from the PFF National U-17 Championship 2026.

## Sources

- Pakistan Announces 14-Member Squad for Historic FIFA U-15 World Cup (ProPakistani): https://propakistani.pk/2026/10/17/pakistan-announces-14-member-squad-for-historic-fifa-u-15-world-cup/

How to cite: "Pakistan names 14-player squad for its first FIFA World Cup event, the U-15 World Cup and Festival in Baku", Searchable, 17 Oct 2026, https://searchable.pk/news/sports/pakistan-names-14-player-squad-for-its-first-fifa-world-cup-event-the-u-15-world