Azerbaijan hosted another remarkable global tournament that has left a mark on its sports history – the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival. This prestigious event further solidified the country's position as a sports hub on the international stage, bringing together thousands of young talents from various countries in Baku. Teams from 189 FIFA member nations participated in the tournament, which featured nearly 1,000 matches. Organising and managing such large-scale global projects at a high level in our country requires significant sports diplomacy, hard work, and a strategic approach.

The flawless operation of all infrastructure, including the Baku Crystal Hall where the opening and final matches were held, was ensured. The 20 modern pitches constructed at the Hovsan Sports Complex over 66 days will serve the development of youth football and the nurturing of young talents. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who attended the tournament, praised Azerbaijan's hospitality and organisational capabilities. The media centre was equipped with all necessary facilities for journalists, and representatives of the foreign press expressed their satisfaction with the organisation in Baku. Football legends such as Arsène Wenger, Pierluigi Collina, and Hristo Stoichkov were also guests in Baku for a week, commending the conditions and football infrastructure created in Azerbaijan in a short time.

A living legend of Azerbaijani football, Nazim Suleymanov, shared his impressions of the festival with Offsideplus.az:

"It was a wonderful opportunity for our footballers. Experiencing the atmosphere, gaining international experience, and playing two matches a day was a revelation for our players. This will give a significant boost to the future of our football. The arrival of 189 countries in Baku is a major event. The 8-a-side game format was an interesting and good experience. The execution of such high-level work over 66 days is commendable. Our country had a shortage of pitches, and these green fields are also very important for the national teams' training camps. I thank AFFA for the invitation. We should not look at the 84th place but think about the future. Our youth must professionalise and promote Azerbaijan on a global scale. There was not much time to prepare due to late information about the tournament. Typically, this age group prepares for a year. There was good selection in the 'Stars of Tomorrow' and promising children stood out. I urge other footballers not to lose motivation and to strengthen themselves. I support such tournaments and would like to see similar competitions held in the regions. We must talk about football. Football should change their lifestyle and help them grow as individuals. To build a house, it is not enough to have just a roof; the foundation must be strong so that the house does not collapse when the wind blows."