BAKU, 27th October 2026 – FIFA President Gianni Infantino has paid a special courtesy visit to Sierra Leone’s U-15 national team at the ongoing FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Infantino met the Young Leone Stars at Pitch 9B, where the historic festival is being held, and encouraged the boys to enjoy the experience and keep working hard.
“Enjoy your festival, guys,” Infantino told the players, as he shook hands and took photos with the team.
The SLFA Vice President-1, Alie Badara Tarawalley, who is with the delegation in Baku, joined the team for the memorable moment. Welcoming him, the FIFA President said: “Welcome, Mr. Vice President, and have an enjoyable stay. Extend my profound greetings to your President, Babadi,” referring to SLFA President Thomas Daddy Brima.
Sierra Leone Shining in Baku
Sierra Leone is among 191 Member Associations taking part in the maiden edition of the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival – described as the biggest youth football festival in history. More than 3,000 players and officials have gathered in Baku for nearly 1,000 matches from 22nd to 31st October.
The tournament is a new FIFA development project approved on 25th June 2026, with Azerbaijan chosen as host because of its modern infrastructure. The idea, according to FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger, is that “talent exists everywhere, but young players do not always have the same opportunities.”
This year is for boys born in 2011 and 2012. The girls’ edition will be held in 2027.
Matches are played 8-a-side on smaller pitches, two halves of 20 minutes each, to encourage high-intensity, technical football.
Sierra Leone, placed in Group AE alongside Russia, Türkiye, Afghanistan, Sudan and Djibouti, started with a narrow 2-1 defeat to Afghanistan on 24th October, but bounced back strongly:
– 25th Oct: Faced Russia and Sudan
– 26th Oct: Thrashed Türkiye 5-1 and Djibouti 5-0 to record back-to-back wins
The victories have put the Young Shooting Stars back in contention and given them vital international exposure – for many, their first trip abroad and first time wearing the national colours.
The 20-man delegation comprises 14 players and six officials, led technically by Spanish Technical Director José Miguel Salomon and Assistant Coach Sarah Bangura, and administratively by Southern Region FA Chairman Joseph Benedict Mbogba as Head of Delegation.
The SLFA says participation is part of its commitment to youth development and safeguarding, with Safeguarding Officer Makallay Kamara engaging players before departure from Freetown on 19th October.
For the boys from Freetown, a handshake and words from the most powerful man in world football will be a story to tell back home in Murray Town, Kenema and beyond.
