President Kurt E.S backs Ghana U-15 team ahead of FIFA World Cup in Azerbaijan

President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku has visited Ghanas National U-15 Boys Team as the squad steps up preparations for the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026 in Azerbaijan.

The tournament will be held in Baku from 22 to 31 October 2026, marking the first edition of FIFAs global U-15 competition. Ghanas young players will have the opportunity to perform on the international stage as part of the new event.

During his working visit, President Simeon-Okraku urged the players to approach the tournament with discipline, focus and commitment. He encouraged them to make the most of the opportunity, apply themselves fully in training and meet the standards required to compete at the highest level.

The team is being led by Head Coach Fatawu Salifu Fatawu, with preparations including a programme of friendly matches designed to test the players and develop the squad.

In their latest fixtures, Ghana recorded two wins against the John Paintsil Academy. They won the first match 5-1 before completing a two-match sweep with a 6-1 victory in the second encounter.

The games gave the technical team further chances to assess the players as preparations continue for the tournament in Azerbaijan. The squad has been in camp while adapting to the competitions eight-a-side format.

FIFAs new youth tournament will move away from the traditional 11-a-side structure. Its modified, fast-paced format is intended to increase the amount of time the ball is in play and promote quicker decision-making among young footballers.

The FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026 will therefore introduce a new format to the organisations youth football calendar when it takes place in Baku in October.

President Simeon-Okraku was accompanied during the visit by Juvenile Committee Chairman JoeSalam Abubakar, GFA Executive Council Member Samuel Aboabire and GFA Technical Director Professor Joseph Kwame Mintah.