Namibia’s U/15 football ready for global test

Namibia’s participation in the inaugural Fifa U/15 World Cup and Festival 2026 offers a chance to assess the country’s youth football development against international standards, with head coach Woody Jacobs hoping the experience will lay the foundation for future World Cup campaigns.

The tournament will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 22 to 31 October, bringing together more than 180 Fifa member associations. Namibia will compete in Group AC alongside Bermuda, Poland, Georgia, the British Virgin Islands and São Tomé and Príncipe.

Although Namibia did not qualify through the conventional qualification process, Jacobs believes the competition will give young players valuable exposure and help guide the country’s long-term football development plans.

“It is a huge honour for Namibia to be part of the inaugural Fifa U/15 World Cup and Festival. While we did not come through a qualification process, it gives our young players a unique opportunity to compete against U/15 teams from across the globe,” Jacobs said.

He added that the tournament would allow the country to measure its progress and identify areas requiring improvement, with the lessons expected to inform future youth development programmes.

Jacobs emphasised the importance of keeping the group together beyond the competition, saying sustained development would be essential if Namibia is to challenge for places at future Fifa U/17 and U/20 World Cups before progressing towards the senior men’s World Cup.

The squad’s foundation was established at last year’s U/15 National Championships, which brought together players from all 14 regions. A representative team was subsequently selected to compete at the zonal phase of the CAF African Schools Championship in Stellenbosch.

According to Jacobs, the selection process prioritised technical ability, character, tactical understanding, willingness to learn, and the potential for further development.

The team has attended several training camps and played friendly matches as part of its preparations. Players have also maintained their fitness and competitive sharpness through league football in their respective age groups.

Training camps held earlier in September were followed by matches against Botswana’s U/15 side in October.

With a 14-player squad and the competition’s smaller format, Jacobs said versatility, explosiveness, and the ability to sustain high intensity would be crucial.

“Our expectation is to compete and give a good account of ourselves. We want our players to embrace the experience, challenge themselves and never give up on themselves regardless of the circumstances,” he said.

The coach added that Namibia will focus on its own playing principles rather than specific opponents, as limited information was available about the participating teams.

The players will be expected to adapt quickly to different styles of play while remaining confident in their abilities.

Jacobs said the team’s broader mission was to represent Namibia with bravery, resilience, camaraderie and determination, regardless of the results.

The official fixtures and match dates were expected to be announced shortly, with the team focused on completing its preparations ahead of the tournament.

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