Young Lions off to winning start at FIFA U15 World Cup

England men’s under-15s are in action at the FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan.

The inaugural competition features 191 national teams, consisting of more than 3000 players, coaches and officials, who will be hosted at the custom-built Hovsan Competition Complex in Baku.

Matches at the competition are eight-a-side, with two halves of 20 minutes.

The Young Lions have been drawn out in Group C alongside Cambodia, Montenegro, Nicaragua, Republic of Ireland and Zimbabwe.

Nicaragua 0-4 England
Saturday 24 October 2026

The Young Lions got off to a winning start with a 4-0 victory over Nicaragua.

Isaac Allen bagged a first half brace to give England a 2-0 lead at the break.

Kobi Akerele added a third in the second half and Azae Bonnick made it four from the penalty spot.

Matt Thorpe’s side are back in action on Sunday 25 October when they play two fixtures against Montenegro (8.45am GMT) and Cambodia (4.45pm GMT).

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Thomas Armytage (Plymouth Argyle), Arlo Tye (Derby County)

Defenders: Joseph Akinsanya (Manchester United), Rocco Derefaka (Blackburn Rovers), Abdul-Muiz Odunsanya-Edunfunke (West Bromwich Albion), Piers Pinnock (SL Benfica)

Midfielders: Kobi Akerele (Liverpool), Isaac Allen (Tottenham Hotspur), Azae Bonnick (Nottingham Forest), Brian Nyoni (Manchester United)

Forwards: Shakeel Charles (Sheffield United), Emmanuel Famokun (West Ham United), Ty Livesey (Blackburn Rovers), Tommy McLoughlin (Ipswich Town)