Germany declines expanded FIFA Under-15 tournament as Russia returns

Germany has deliberately withdrawn from FIFA’s expanded Under-15 World Cup in Azerbaijan, the German Football Association told DW, as Russia returned to FIFA competition at a tournament involving almost 1,000 matches and 189 teams. The DFB said it did not consider it appropriate to select a fixed squad for players at this stage of their development. It said its identification process remained under way and that international competition should be introduced according to the age and needs of individual players.

The organisation also warned against exposing children too early to pressures associated with professional football. These include public assessment of performances, heightened expectations and the interest of agents and the wider football market, according to the DFB statement reported by DW. Germany’s decision is consistent with its comparatively cautious approach to youth development.

Players must be 16 to appear in the Bundesliga, and FIFA rules prohibit players under 16 from having agents, although DW reported that the latter restriction is weakly regulated in some parts of the world. The tournament is a new format for FIFA’s youth competitions. It uses eight-a-side matches, 20-minute halves and a smaller pitch.

FIFA’s global football development chief Arsène Wenger said young players needed meaningful matches, different opponents and varied football experiences, arguing that opportunities were not equally available around the world. FIFA says the 2027 edition will be for girls’ teams. Russia’s participation has given the event wider political significance.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in February that Russia’s exclusion should be reconsidered, arguing that allowing Russian boys and girls to play elsewhere in Europe could reduce frustration and hostility. The tournament represents Russia’s return to FIFA competition, with The Athletic reporting that its Under-15 side opened with an 11-0 victory. Germany is one of 22 countries that declined the invitation, 18 of them from UEFA.

The United States also stayed away. Ukraine’s football association told German broadcaster Sportschau that it initially rejected the tournament for sporting reasons, but later said some countries did not want to face Russia. DW said it had not received responses from several federations contacted about that claim.

FIFA has described the tournament’s round-robin groups as offering regional and sporting diversity. DW noted that countries involved in political or armed disputes, including Israel and Palestine and Kosovo and Serbia, appeared to have been kept apart in the opening stage. FIFA had not responded to DW’s request for further comment.