The tournament is scheduled to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 24 to 30 October, bringing together youth teams from across the world for a week of international football.
Nigeria will compete against the five nations during the group stage of the competition, which is designed to provide young players with valuable international experience and opportunities to develop their skills.
The festival will introduce an innovative eight-a-side format, with matches played on smaller pitches to encourage more touches on the ball and greater player involvement. FIFA’s format includes two 20-minute halves, rolling substitutions and kick-ins.
Unlike a conventional World Cup, the competition is structured to ensure that teams remain active throughout the festival. Group-stage results will determine each team’s placement in the subsequent phase, with sides competing in different tiers until the final matchday.
FIFA expects around 190 member associations to participate, with approximately 3,000 players, coaches and officials involved. The schedule is expected to feature close to 1,000 matches across six matchdays.
For Nigeria’s U-15 players, the tournament offers an opportunity to test themselves against opponents from different footballing backgrounds while gaining experience on the international stage.
The inaugural boys’ edition is part of FIFA’s broader youth-development initiative. A girls’ edition is scheduled for 2027, with both boys’ and girls’ tournaments planned from 2028 onwards.