Thai U-15 Squad Begins Training for FIFA U-15 Cup in Azerbaijan
Thailand’s under-15 football team began its first joint training camp on October 10 at Bangkokthonburi University in preparation for the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Led by Coach Bom Kantaphaen Lertlamsakul, the squad will compete from October 22-31 against teams such as Dominican Republic, Slovakia, Samoa, Colombia and Eswatini. The tournament features an 8-a-side format aimed at giving young players more ball touches and tactical experience.
The Thailand U-15 side assembled for its first combined training session on October 10 at the Sports Development Center of Bangkokthonburi University, preparing for the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026, the inaugural 8‑a‑side tournament hosted by FIFA in Baku, Azerbaijan, from October 22 to 31. The team is led by Coach Bom Kantaphaen Lertlamsakul, head of the FIFA TDS project, who will act as head coach.
Coach Bom said the players represent a group that FIFA has given extra opportunities to, creating a pathway for youth athletes to develop their abilities and gain competitive experience earlier than the usual U-17 level. He explained that the selection process builds on the FIFA TDS Talent ID programme, which identified players born in 2011 and tracked them through a 44‑player camp, while also monitoring those who have trained and played with older teammates born in 2010. He noted that many other talented players exist but FIFA’s limits forced the focus on this age group as the future of Thai football.
Regarding the 8‑a‑side format, Coach Bom said it emphasizes more ball touches and attacking moments, giving players a chance to show creativity, learn tactical decision‑making, and use the whole pitch effectively, thereby increasing involvement and learning opportunities.
He added that the goal of the tournament is to gain international experience by competing against top‑level teams, aiming to advance to higher groups and face world‑class sides, which could serve as a stepping stone toward future World Cup qualifiers and help players break into the U-17 national squad next year. Many of these players will join the core of the U-17 team alongside other players who have not attended this camp but are being monitored, including those who have already played with senior teammates this year.
The Thailand U-15 squad will continue training at the Bangkokthonburi University Sports Development Center until October 21, then depart for Azerbaijan on October 22.
The FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026 will consist of two phases. The first phase is a round‑robin group stage with 32 groups of six or seven teams each, no elimination. After that teams will be graded and enter the second phase, where every side will play at least seven to ten matches throughout the tournament, with no official title awarded.
Thailand’s match schedule has been set: October 24 vs Dominican Republic at 13:15, October 25 vs Slovakia at 12:00 and vs Samoa at 18:45, October 26 vs Colombia at 15:45 and vs Eswatini at 22:30.
