Cyprus U-15 football team finishes 30th at FIFA World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan

The Cyprus U-15 national football team concluded its participation in the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival 2026, held in Azerbaijan, by securing the 30th position out of 191 participating nations. Managed by head coach Michalis Markou and assistant Lambros Lambrou, the squad consisting of players born in 2011 or 2012 competed in a total of ten matches, following a group stage where they finished first in their initial group.

The tournament campaign saw varied results for the Cypriot team, including victories against Jordan, Pakistan, South Sudan, and Angola, as well as a draw against Gambia. The team faced defeats against Nigeria, Paraguay, Cameroon, South Korea, and finally Bulgaria, the latter of which placed them in the 30th spot. The squad featured players such as Ephraim Kyriakou, Andreas Zarvos, Georgios Chatzigeorgiou, and others who represented the nation throughout this global youth football development program.

This tournament served as a significant experience for the young athletes, providing them with international exposure under the new FIFA development framework. Having completed their final match against Bulgaria with a 0-4 loss, the team ends its journey in the competition, having successfully navigated through both the initial group phase and the subsequent ranking matches.