The FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival 2026 kicked off in Baku, Azerbaijan, a week ago, and after ten games, India U-15 finally wrapped their campaign in Baku with a 6-4 victory against Cuba to finish 87th among 189 teams from the length and breadth of this planet.

India U-15 were drawn in Group K, and until the final matchweek, India were the sole unbeaten team in the group and favourites to top the group and qualify for Tier A. The Blue Colts, led by Bibiano Fernandes, had an impressive campaign and too many moments to cherish in Baku.

From trailing 2-0 down against Trinidad and Tobago to clinching a 3-2 comeback win, upsetting African heavyweight Cameroon 2-1 to a four-goal masterclass from Victor Lalawmpuia, the Blue Colts can be proud of their efforts as the team sealed their Baku journey on an exhilarating note against Cuba.

In this article, we take a closer and more detailed look at India U-15’s campaign in the FIFA U15 World Cup and Festivals in Baku. We analyse the positives, lessons to learn and major takeaways from the India U-15 side.

India U-15 were agonisingly close to top Group K over African giants

The Blue Colts kicked off their group stage campaign with a 4-2 win over Laos in the opening fixture before a high-pressing tactical execution against African giants Cameroon saw India win 2-1.

The win against eventual group winners Cameroon was a big upset. Bibiano’s boys were no longer just competing. India then played out a six-goal thriller against Grenada that culminated in a 3-3 draw. It was a tough draw to digest for India as they were leading 3-0 at one point.

The win against Bahrain took India back to winning ways. India were just a win away from Senegal in the final group stage fixture to seal their spot at the top of Group K. However, Bibiano’s boys, who were unbeaten so far, succumbed to a 6-1 thrashing.

The defeat saw African giants Cameroon and Senegal leapfrog India to occupy the top two places. India U-15’s group stage campaign ended in heartbreak, and the Blue Colts finished third with 10 points and moved to Tier C.

Blue Colts finish 87th globally in inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup campaign

India were one of the best third placed teams in the tournament and there were too many hopes from the Blue Colts to advance past the knockout stages and compete for glory in Tier C.

However, India’s campaign kicked off with a 2-1 defeat to Honduras in the opening game. That defeat saw India fall into the lower bracket. India were now up against Trinidad and Tobago. The Blue Colts went 2-0 down, and Bibiano’s men had a mountain to climb.

But a brace from Victor Lalawmpuia and a solitary goal from Lalremruatfela saw India script a 3-2 win over the Caribbean nation. The next challenge was against neighbours Afghanistan.

India suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to Afghanistan, and Nibas Meetei Wahengbam’s solitary goal was not enough to propel India to the next stage. The Tier C semi-final was against Kazakhstan, where Victor Lalawmpuia scored four goals, and the match ended 5-5.

In the penalties, India lost 5-4, and India’s last game was against Cuba. The Blue Colts had another ten-goal thriller, but India went on to win 6-4 against the North American side to clinch an 87th-place finish.

Major takeaways from Indian U15’s campaign

The Indian U15 side showed unshakable mental fortitude in this tournament. They went on to score in every single game in this campaign and erased a multi-goal deficit against sides like Trinidad and Tobago.

India’s offensive prowess was in red hot form. Players like Victor Lalawmpuia, R Lalremruatfela, and Soumojit Sarkar scored against physically dominant nations and showed extreme mental composure and goal scoring instincts under pressure.

The India U15 side had a diverse exposure playing against American teams like Honduras, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and Cuba. They plied their trade against African sides like Cameroon and Senegal and European nations like Kazaksthan.

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