Cyprus will participate in the inaugural edition of FIFA’s new global development program, the 2026 FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival.
This is a new FIFA initiative aimed at giving all member associations the opportunity to participate in an international tournament, even in countries that do not qualify for world tournaments.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The tournament will feature 191 national teams from around the world, and eligible players must have been born in 2011 or 2012.
Our national team will depart for Baku next Monday, October 19.
Our team’s head coach is Michalis Markou, with Lambros Lambrou as his assistant coach.
Our national team’s roster consists of the following players (born in 2011):
AEK Larnaca: Efrem Kyriakou
AEL Limassol: Andreas Zarvos
Anorthosis Famagusta: Georgios Hatzigeorgiou
Ayia Napa: Eirineos Kyriazis
APOEL Nicosia: Konstantinos Markidis
Apollon Limassol: Giorgos Christodoulou, Panagiotis Achilleos
Aris Limassol: Stavros Babalioutas
Ethnikos Assias: Marios Psintridis
Nea Salamina Famagusta: Giannis Tsolakis, Christos Kyriakou
Omonia Nicosia: Orestis Stylianou
Paphos F.C.: Iakovos Nikolaou
Cyprus was drawn into Group AD and will face teams from Nigeria, The Gambia, Jordan, Pakistan, and South Sudan in the first round.
Match schedule (Cyprus time)
Saturday, October
24, 1:30 p.m. Cyprus – Jordan
Sunday, October 25 11
:45 a.m. Gambia – Cyprus
6:30 p.m. Pakistan – Cyprus
Monday, October 26
10:30 a.m. Cyprus – Nigeria
5:15 p.m. Cyprus – South Sudan
The matches will be played with 8 players on each side rather than the traditional 11. Each game will last 40 minutes (two 20-minute halves) and will be played on a smaller field.
Upon completion of the preliminary round, all teams will advance to the second phase of the tournament, which will take place on October 28, 29, and 30 October, playing additional matches through the final day of the tournament, regardless of their standings.
Departures for Monday, October 19, to Larnaca Airport:
11:30 a.m. From Paphos, “Stelios Kyriakides”
Stadium; 12:00 p.m. From Limassol, Tsirion Stadium
; 1:10 p.m. From Paralimni, “Tassos Markou”
Stadium 1:15 p.m. From Nicosia, GSP Stadium (Allegra Hotel)
2:00 p.m. Meet at Larnaca Airport
