Algeria will take part in the inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 24 to 30 October, with Karim Ziani selecting a 14-player squad made up entirely of footballers from Algerian clubs.

The young Fennecs have been placed in Group B, where they will face Argentina, Suriname, Chinese Taipei, Malawi and Oman. The times for their matches have been given in Algerian time, although the schedule remains subject to change.

The squad is:

Goalkeepers: Oussama Salhi (ES Setif), Ilyes Bensenada (MC Alger).

Defenders: Tarek Khellaf (ES Ben Aknoun), Mohamed Amir Bentaleb (JS El Biar), Aissa Ait Chekhdidh (JS Kabylie), Bachir Imad Ben Kaid Ali (Paradou AC), Houdaifa Kerda (O Akbou).

Midfielders: Adem Noumeri (Paradou AC), Rafik Aliouche (Paradou AC), Mohamed Islem Laib (USM Annaba), Islem Bouchelaghem (Paradou AC).

Forwards: Youcef Anteur (S Khemis Miliana), Abdelkarim Meharzi (O Akbou), Ayoub Zoubidi (CR Belouizdad).

The squad size reflects the competition regulations and highlights the contribution of Paradou AC, one of Algeria’s leading youth development clubs. The club has four players in the squad, while no footballer based abroad has been selected.

The tournament’s second phase will be held from 28 to 30 October. Algeria’s opponents at that stage will depend on where they finish in their group.

Although the event is an official FIFA competition, its structure is very different from the FIFA U-17 World Cup and FIFA U-20 World Cup. There was no qualifying tournament, and almost all FIFA member associations were invited to participate. The inaugural men’s edition is designed both as a world competition and as a development festival.

Matches are played eight-a-side on pitches measuring 68 metres by 47 metres, with regulation-sized goals. Games consist of two 20-minute halves. Throw-ins are taken with the feet, while offside only applies beyond a line 14 metres from the goal.

Almost 1,000 matches are scheduled across six days, with FIFA stating that each national team will play between eight and 10 times.

Following the opening phase, the teams will be divided into six levels, from A to F. No nation will be eliminated; instead, every team will continue playing against opponents of a similar standard. The winner of Level A will nevertheless be officially crowned world champion at Under-15 level.

Ziani joined the Direction technique nationale in 2025 and initially worked with the Under-16 side before being appointed head coach of the U17 B team. He has since organised several scouting camps, training gatherings and international matches in an effort to broaden Algeria’s pool of young players.

A first camp for this Under-15 generation brought together 31 players at Sidi Moussa before the group was reduced to the final 14.

The tournament will offer Algeria an opportunity to test its young players against a range of footballing cultures rather than judge them solely by results. Argentina, Suriname, the Asian opposition and two African teams will provide varied challenges as Ziani assesses players who could progress to the Under-17 side and other Algeria youth teams.