Malawi Under-15 National Football Team Coach Joseph Malizani has highlighted the importance of exposing young players to international competitions as part of efforts to develop the country’s football.

Malizani said this Wednesday before the team’s departure for the inaugural Fifa U-15 World Cup and Festival 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

He said the tournament would give players valuable exposure and an opportunity to assess their abilities against international opposition.

“I am expecting a lot of things, one is exposure and, also, to let the players know where they are right now as U-15 players. They need to know the role they have to play as a team. So, I expect nothing but for them to enjoy each and every match,” Malizani said.

The junior Flames are in Group B alongside Algeria, Argentina, Chinese Taipei, Oman and Suriname.

Malawi will open their campaign against Chinese Taipei this coming Saturday before facing Oman and Suriname on Sunday.

The team will conclude its group-stage assignments against Algeria and Argentina on Monday.

Football Association of Malawi (Fam) President Fleetwood Haiya said Malawi’s participation was part of a broader strategy to strengthen grassroots football as well as identify and nurture talent at an early age.

“As per our strategic plan, we have emphasised that we need to make sure that we strengthen the grassroots. This is the commitment that we made and, when the opportunity came to say that we were invited for the Under-15 World Cup, we took that chance,” Haiya said.

The inaugural edition introduces a new Fifa youth football format, with matches played eight-a-side instead of the traditional 11-a-side game, giving the young players a different competitive experience.