Baku, wwwnews-viptv.com — Timor-Leste’s under-15 national football team suffered a difficult start to the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026, losing 6-0 to hosts Azerbaijan at Baku Crystal Hall on Saturday, October 24.
Azerbaijan controlled the match and demonstrated their attacking strength, scoring six goals without reply to secure a convincing victory in front of the home crowd.
Mushfig Zamanov and Hasan Mahmadov scored twice each, while Yusif Alizada and Asif Allahverdizada added one goal apiece to complete the hosts’ dominant performance.
The emphatic victory gave Azerbaijan a positive start to the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival, an international competition designed to provide young footballers with opportunities to compete and develop their skills.
For Timor-Leste, the result represents an early challenge in a tournament bringing together youth teams from across the world. The young players will need to learn from the opening defeat and work to improve their defensive organisation, teamwork and attacking effectiveness in their remaining matches.
Despite the disappointing scoreline, participation in an international tournament of this scale offers valuable experience for Timor-Leste’s emerging football talents.
The inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival is taking place in Baku from October 22 to 30, 2026. According to FIFA, more than 3,000 players and officials representing 189 FIFA member associations are participating in the boys’ competition.
Matches are played in an eight-a-side format, with two 20-minute halves. The competition is designed to give young players from different football backgrounds an opportunity to develop their abilities and experience international competition.
Timor-Leste will now look to build on the experience gained from its opening match as the team continues its campaign in Azerbaijan.
For the young Timorese players, the focus will be on learning from the defeat, maintaining their confidence and striving for improved performances in the matches ahead.
Timor-Leste competes in Group AF alongside Azerbaijan, Australia, Andorra, Haiti and Israel. The six teams are taking part in the group stage of the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival in Baku.
The other teams present different challenges for Timor-Leste’s young players as they gain experience against international opposition.
Following the defeat to Azerbaijan, Timor-Leste will aim to strengthen its defensive organisation, improve coordination and create more opportunities in attack in its remaining group matches.
The tournament brings together youth teams from FIFA member associations around the world. Matches use an eight-a-side format, with two 20-minute halves, providing young players with opportunities to develop their skills and gain international experience.
For Timor-Leste, the competition is an important opportunity to assess the progress of its youth football programme and prepare emerging players for future international challenges.
Although the opening result was disappointing, the team still has an opportunity to learn from the experience and work towards stronger performances in the matches ahead.
Group AF teams: Timor-Leste, Azerbaijan, Australia, Andorra, Haiti and Israel.
