Bangladesh to take part in U-15 World Cup Festival

Bangladesh will take part in the U-15 World Cup Festival in Azerbaijan, a BFF official said on Sunday.

The festival, featuring 194 nations, is scheduled to take place from October 22 to 31. The champions of each of the 32 groups will advance to the knockout stage, while the remaining teams will compete in play-off matches.

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“Getting the opportunity to take part in the U-15 World Cup Festival has been a reward from FIFA for keeping the U-15 tournament active throughout the year across the country last year,” BFF U-15 Tournament Committee chairman Manjur Alam said at a briefing following a meeting at the BFF House.

Alam said the committee has shortlisted 25 players from the 137 who were selected from last year’s BFF U-15 tournament.

As only 14 players will travel to Azerbaijan, the committee will hold an open trial involving four overseas-based players before the preparations begin. Medical tests will also be conducted to determine the players’ actual ages.

“Since Hamza Choudhury came in to represent Bangladesh, a lot of parents of overseas players are responding well and lining up for the age-group teams. So this time, three US-based players, including the younger brother of Zayyan Ahmed, and one from Australia have shown interest in participating in the trial,” Alam said.

Each match at the festival will be an eight-a-side affair lasting just 40 minutes.

The committee have yet to appoint a coach for the U-15 squad and hope to finalise the appointment after consulting BFF president Tabith Awal.