Spain have been crowned champions of the inaugural FIFA Under-15 World Cup and Festival after defeating the Czech Republic 3-0 in Friday’s final in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The Spanish youngsters delivered a commanding performance at the Baku Crystal Hall to claim the first title in the newly introduced competition, which brought together young footballers from across FIFA member associations.

Goals from Tiago Polo, Bruno Fernández and Adrián Bielsa secured the historic victory for Spain, who completed their campaign with an impressive record under coach David Gordo.

The triumph also marked another milestone for Spanish football, coming just months after the country’s senior men’s national team reclaimed the FIFA World Cup title.

Tiago Polo sets Spain on course

Spain made an energetic start to the final, taking control of possession and dictating the pace of the encounter against a Czech side that had also enjoyed an impressive run to the title decider.

The breakthrough came through Tiago Polo, who produced a moment of individual brilliance with a powerful effort from outside the penalty area.

His strike flew into the top corner, leaving the Czech goalkeeper with little chance and giving Spain a deserved lead.

The goal reflected Spain’s attacking approach throughout the competition, built around technical ability, movement and quick combinations.

Although the Czech Republic attempted to respond with direct attacking play, Spain maintained its composure and carried its advantage into the interval.

Fernández, Bielsa complete the job

The second half saw Spain continue to manage the contest, limiting the Czech Republic’s opportunities while looking for openings to extend its lead.

Bruno Fernández eventually doubled the advantage, putting Spain in a commanding position as the final moved towards its closing stages.

Adrián Bielsa then completed the scoring after reacting quickest to a rebound from the Czech goalkeeper, turning the loose ball into the net to make it 3-0.

The third goal effectively settled the contest, allowing the Spanish players to celebrate a landmark achievement in the country’s youth football history.

Spain complete unbeaten campaign

Spain’s success was not limited to the final, as the team produced a consistent run of performances throughout the competition.

The side, made up of players born in 2011 and representing Spain’s Under-16 generation, was led by Gordo for the tournament.

According to the Spanish Football Federation, the team recorded 10 victories in 10 matches, overcoming the challenges presented by the competition before finishing with a convincing win over the Czech Republic.

The achievement offered another indication of the strength of Spain’s youth development system and the country’s continued investment in nurturing young football talent.

Senior team also conquer the world

The U-15 triumph comes against the backdrop of an outstanding year for Spanish football, with the country’s senior men’s national team also crowned world champions in July.

Spain defeated defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final played at the New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19.

Substitute Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute, finishing after Nico Williams headed down a cross from Pedro Porro to send Spain to their second men’s World Cup title.

The victory came 16 years after Spain’s first triumph at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, when they defeated the Netherlands 1-0 through Andrés Iniesta’s extra-time goal.

Under head coach Luis de la Fuente and captain Rodri, Spain navigated a demanding tournament before overcoming Argentina in the final. Rodri was named the competition’s Golden Ball winner, while goalkeeper Unai Simón set a tournament record with seven clean sheets.

Spain’s latest senior triumph also followed their victory at the 2024 European Championship, further strengthening the country’s position among the leading forces in international football.

The simultaneous success of the senior team and the emerging U-15 generation provides another significant moment for Spanish football, highlighting achievements across different levels of its national-team structure.

A new format for global youth football

The 2026 FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival was the first edition of the competition, organised in Baku from October 24 to 30.

Unlike the traditional 11-a-side format associated with FIFA’s major international tournaments, the event adopted an eight-a-side format, with matches played over two 20-minute halves on smaller pitches.

The competition was designed to widen international opportunities for young players and provide more countries with the chance to participate in a global football event.

Following the initial group stage, participating teams were distributed across six divisions, from A to F, ensuring that countries continued competing for positions and honours beyond the opening round.

Spain emerged as champions of Division A, while Zambia won Division B, Belarus claimed Division C, Tajikistan took Division D, the Central African Republic won Division E and New Zealand finished top of Division F.

The tournament brought together young footballers from across the world, providing a platform for emerging talents and expanding FIFA’s youth development activities.

Spain lead the final standings

With the 3-0 victory over the Czech Republic, Spain finished first in Division A, while the Czech side settled for second place.

Greece finished third, followed by Paraguay and Brazil, while Guinea, Ghana and Colombia occupied the next three positions.

Mexico, Uruguay, Poland, Italy, Morocco, Egypt, Venezuela and Ecuador completed the 16-team Division A standings.

The competition’s conclusion in Baku marked the beginning of a new chapter in FIFA’s efforts to expand youth football development and international participation.

For Spain, however, the immediate significance is the achievement of becoming the first champions of the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival, adding another international title to a year already defined by the senior men’s team’s World Cup success.