The Football Association of Thailand has finalized its 14-player squad for the upcoming FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival 2026, set to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from October 22 to 31. This marks Azerbaijan’s debut as host for the tournament, with the Technical Department of the Football Association of Thailand contributing to its organization.
The FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival 2026 is designed to emphasize skill development and inclusive participation, moving away from a traditional focus on wins and losses in youth football. The event will feature 194 participating countries and will be contested in an 8-a-side format, including the goalkeeper. Matches will consist of two 20-minute halves played on a 68m x 47-50m field, with unlimited substitutions allowed.
The selected 14 players for the Thailand U15 team include goalkeepers Tinaphop Pimthong of Nonthaburi Pitchaya FC and Rachapol Thammanimit of Thephasirin School. The defense will be bolstered by Phakin Tangsirikul of Assumption Thonburi School, Titawat Phumikokrak of STB Academy, and Panchakamol Sangkhuea of Thephasirin School.
In the midfield, the squad comprises Tinaphop Thatto of STB Academy, Ratchanon Muangma of Assumption Thonburi School, Phawisit Jampathong of Thephasirin School, Natthaphong Sirisue of JFAM United, and Phet Philadee of JFAM United. The attacking line will be spearheaded by Phurinat Monirat of Assumption Thonburi School, Rattanon Anantakul of STB Academy, Phakin Thammatheang of Assumption Sriracha School, and Apwisit Onlamun of STB Academy.
These athletes are scheduled to report to Bangkok Thonburi University on October 9 at 10:00 AM for their training camp, which will run until October 21 before the team’s departure for Azerbaijan.
The tournament’s structure is divided into two phases. The initial phase involves a round-robin group stage, where 32 groups of 6-7 teams will compete without any eliminations. Following this, teams will be graded and advance to the second phase. All participating teams are guaranteed to play a minimum of 7 to 10 matches throughout the event, and no overall champion will be declared.
The Thailand U15 national team’s match schedule begins with their opening fixture against the Dominican Republic on October 24 at 1:15 PM (Thai time) at Pitch 9 in Azerbaijan. They will then face Slovakia on October 25 at 12:00 PM (Thai time) at Pitch 8, followed by a match against Samoa later the same day at 6:45 PM (Thai time), also at Pitch 8. On October 26, Thailand is set to play Colombia at 3:45 PM (Thai time) at Pitch 3, and will conclude their group stage matches against Eswatini at 10:30 PM (Thai time) at Pitch 4.