Kenya U15 boys’ national team have been placed in Group Z of the inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival, scheduled to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan from Thursday, 22 to Friday, 30 October.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsKenya, whose place in the tournament was exclusively reported by Mozzart Sport, have been pooled against Chad, Malta, Niger, North Macedonia and Panama, with the competition attracting a record total of 191 national teams divided into 32 groups.##NAJAVA_MECA_9968730##As per the tournament schedule, Patrick Nyale’s side will play all five of its group stage matches across three days.Kenya’s first game will come on Saturday, 24 October, when they come up against Malta in Pitch 8B, before playing two games each on Sunday, 25 and Monday, 26 October.Akonnor calls for focus as Gor Mahia target premier league title defenceOn 25th, Kenya will play Panama at Pitch 6B, before taking on North Macedonia in Pitch 7B.On 26th, Kenya will wrap up its phase one of round-robin matches with ties against Niger at Pitch 1A, and later versus Chad at Pitch 8B.Given the unique nature of the competition, matches will be played in an 8v8 format, with two 20-minute halves separated by a five-minute half-time break.The pitches will measure 68 metres by 50 metres, while rolling substitutions will be permitted throughout the match.Motsepe rules out Plan B as East Africa races to ready for AFCON 2027Another special aspect to the tournament will be that a non-elimination format will be deployed across the board, with emphasis laid upon maximizing playing time and cultural exchange for young players, rather than early exits.For that reason, results from the group phase will lead to teams being divided into further tiers (A through G) in phase two of the tournament, where a knockout and placement bracket will start from the Round of 32, down to individual tier finals.##NAJAVA_MECA_9968575##All teams, will therefore, play until the final matchday to win a tier trophy.In total, 943 matches will be played across 20 match pitches, over six competition days."Talent exists everywhere, but young players do not always have the same opportunities to test themselves internationally. This tournament is about giving them that opportunity,” FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger, said of the inaugural competition, which will in 2027 feature exclusively girls’ teams, before incorporating both genders from 2028.Homeboyz chairman reveals millions spent during delayed Premier League kick-off“By bringing teams from across the world together at U-15 level, we can give players meaningful matches, expose them to different styles and football cultures, and help them learn and develop through competition," Wenger added."Bringing young players together from different countries and cultures gives them an experience that goes beyond competition, while also encouraging Member Associations to continue investing in their development."
26