President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku has paid a working visit to the National U-15 Boys Team as preparations intensify for the maiden FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026 in Azerbaijan.

The tournament, scheduled to take place in Baku from October 22 to 31, 2026, will be the inaugural edition of FIFA’s global U-15 competition and presents Ghana’s emerging talents with an opportunity to showcase their abilities on the international stage.

During his visit, President Simeon-Okraku encouraged the young players to remain disciplined, focused and committed as they prepare to represent Ghana at the historic tournament.

He urged the players to embrace the opportunity before them, work hard in training and maintain the discipline required to compete at the highest level.

The team, under the guidance of Head Coach Fatawu Salifu Fatawu, has stepped up its preparations with a series of friendly matches.

As part of their latest preparations, the U-15 side faced the John Paintsil Academy in two separate friendly encounters, securing victories in both matches — winning the first 5-1 and the second 6-1.

The games provided the technical team with valuable opportunities to assess the players and continue building the squad ahead of the tournament in Azerbaijan.

The team has been in camp preparing for the eight-a-side competition, which introduces a new format to FIFA’s youth football calendar.

The new tournament departs from the traditional 11-a-side format, with FIFA introducing a modified, fast-paced structure designed to increase ball-in-play time and encourage quicker decision-making among young players.

President Simeon-Okraku was accompanied on the working visit by Juvenile Committee Chairman JoeSalam Abubakar, GFA Executive Council Member Samuel Aboabire and GFA Technical Director Professor Joseph Kwame Mintah.

GFA Communications