U15 World Cup: Gianni Infantino confirms participation of 211 countries

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has announced the launch of the U15 World Cup this year, with 211 countries set to take part.

After months of speculation, the inaugural U15 World Cup is officially happening. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that the competition will kick off this year, bringing together all 211 member associations of the organization.

"This year, for the first time, FIFA will organize a U15 World Cup, inviting all 211 FIFA countries. It will be a festival for children, with more than 4,000 youngsters playing football together," announced the FIFA President. The debut edition is set to take place in Azerbaijan in the coming months.

"We, the football leaders, talk too much. Sometimes we should maybe talk less and let the ball do the talking instead," Gianni Infantino even admitted Sunday in a FIFA video. He added: "That means letting the children play."

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On Saturday, The Athletic revealed that the FIFA president held discussions over the past year with private investors to explore the possibility of developing and commercializing an event similar to a U15 World Cup, inspired by the Little League World Series baseball tournament.

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.