India U15 Men's National Team Prepares for FIFA U15 World Cup 2026

The India U15 men's national team has commenced its training camp in Bengaluru in preparation for the inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival 2026. Under the guidance of head coach Bibiano Fernandes, the team is focusing on talent development through a comprehensive scouting process that has identified over 12,000 young players nationwide. With a strong coaching staff and a commitment to nurturing talent, the team aims to make a significant impact at the tournament scheduled in Azerbaijan from October 22 to 31. The ongoing camp will include trials and friendly matches to ensure players are well-prepared for the competition.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 17, 2026, 23:17 IST

India U15 Men's National Team Camp Commences

The training camp for the India U15 men's national team kicked off on Sunday at the Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru, led by head coach Bibiano Fernandes.

Bibiano Fernandes Appointed as Head Coach

As per a statement from the AIFF Media, Fernandes has officially taken over the U15 team after signing his contract, which was approved by the AIFF Executive Committee on August 6. Surinder Singh will serve as the assistant coach.

Fernandes has a wealth of experience with India's youth teams, having first coached the U15 squad in 2017. He is recognized as one of the most successful youth coaches in the country. Under his leadership, India has qualified for the AFC U17 Asian Cup four times: in 2018, 2020, 2023, and 2026. A highlight of his career was leading India to the quarter-finals of the AFC U16 Championship in 2018. Additionally, he has secured five SAFF age-group titles, including the SAFF U15 Championship in 2017 and 2019, the SAFF U17 Championship in 2022 and 2025, and the SAFF U19 Championship in 2025. His extensive experience is expected to greatly benefit the youngest national team.

Surinder Singh, who holds an AFC Pro Licence, brings a diverse coaching background that includes domestic club football and international youth coaching. He has previously been the head coach for Delhi FC and Minerva Punjab FC and was part of the coaching staff for the Philippines U17 women's team that qualified for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup 2026.

Nationwide Talent Identification Process

The formation of the U15 men's national team is the result of a comprehensive talent scouting initiative by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), aimed at identifying promising young players from across the nation.

AIFF Deputy Secretary General Mr. M Satyanarayan stated, "The scouting for this age group has been ongoing for nearly two years, even before FIFA announced the inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival. Our primary goal was to discover and nurture talented players for our AIFF-FIFA Talent Academies, focusing on those born in 2011 and 2012. The timing has aligned perfectly, allowing us to prepare these identified players for the U15 World Cup."

Over 12,000 players were evaluated during the last two seasons, with scouts working across various competitions nationwide to identify talent. This extensive effort has provided a robust pool of players for selection and development ahead of the U15 World Cup.

Expanded Scouting Network

Under the FIFA Talent Development Scheme, AIFF has significantly broadened its scouting network, adhering to the principle of 'Giving Every Talent A Chance'. For the 2011-2012 age group, over 12,000 boys were assessed during the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons by a dedicated team of 60 scouts, including former international players and AIFF-licensed coaches.

The scouting network monitored players across more than 20 competitions and platforms, including the AIFF Elite, Junior and Sub-Junior Youth Leagues, National Football Championships, and various state and district leagues.

This expanded program has shifted towards a district-centric scouting model, enhancing AIFF's ability to identify talent at the grassroots level through workshops and collaboration with local scouts.

Central Trials and Open Opportunities

The most promising players identified through competitions and open trials were invited to central trials at the AIFF-FIFA Talent Academy in Bhubaneswar and Hyderabad. A total of 160 players participated in Bhubaneswar, while 205 were assessed in Hyderabad. These trials allowed players from different regions to compete against each other and be evaluated against a national talent pool.

The selection process was inclusive, inviting state associations to conduct trials in their areas. The top performers from these trials were recommended for central assessments, providing opportunities for players to enter the national talent identification pathway, regardless of their prior participation in AIFF competitions.

AIFF's talent identification efforts also extend internationally, tracking Indian players developing in academies and clubs abroad, ensuring a comprehensive approach to building a national talent pool.

Path to FIFA U15 World Cup 2026

The inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival 2026 is set to take place in Azerbaijan from October 22 to 31, with participation open to all FIFA Member Associations.

The current camp in Bengaluru is in a trial phase, with coaching staff evaluating players before finalizing the 14-member squad for the tournament. Prior to the camp, head coach Bibiano Fernandes visited the AIFF-FIFA Talent Academy in Odisha from August 12 to 15.

Players are being invited in batches for trials, with new participants joining the assessment process, while those not retained are released back to their clubs. The camp will also include match exposure through friendly matches against older age-group teams, and the AIFF plans to arrange international friendlies against other U15 national teams as the tournament approaches.