Eswatini face Dominican Republic in U-15 World Cup opener

MBABANE – Eswatini’s Under-15 national football team, Young Sihlangu, make their historic FIFA Under-15 World Cup debut against the Dominican Republic in Baku, Azerbaijan.

This landmark global appearance comes after Eswatini secured direct qualification for the inaugural showpiece through FIFA’s inclusive 189-nation development project, alongside strong grassroots foundations built through the Eswatini Football Association’s (EFA) domestic youth development initiatives, including the regional COSAFA and CAF Schools Football championships.

The local squad enters the global showpiece facing a grueling qualification round, which takes place over three action-packed days from October 24 to 26, 2026. Teams competing in the tournament will play up to five matches within this brief window to determine the performance tiers they advance to for the remainder of the international competition.

All tournament matches feature an 8-a-side format with match durations consisting of two 20-minute halves, demanding high intensity, rapid transitions, and sharp decision-making from the young players throughout.

Young Sihlangu’s encounter with the Dominican Republic will kick off their campaign on Saturday morning, serving as a historic first step on the international stage before taking on Slovakia, Samoa, and Thailand in their remaining group fixtures.

With fixtures coming thick and fast, securing a positive result in the opener against the Caribbean nation will be vital in building early momentum and setting a confident tone for the entire campaign.

For Young Sihlangu, this tournament represents far more than just competitive group matches—it is a landmark opportunity to showcase Eswatini’s emerging football talent on a global platform.

A disciplined display against the Dominican Republic will announce the nation’s arrival on the world stage, proving the young squad can compete internationally.

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