Ghana’s National U-15 Boys team have advanced to the quarter-finals of the tier A of the 2026 FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan after recording an emphatic 5-2 victory over Mexico on Wednesday, October 28.

The Black Comets delivered another impressive attacking performance in the Round of 16, with Shamsudeen Sulemana scoring four goals to lead Ghana into the last eight of the inaugural competition.

Abdul Aziz Issah scored Ghana’s other goal, continuing his impressive scoring run as the African nation maintained their perfect record in the tournament.

The victory came just hours after Ghana defeated Korea Republic 2-1 in the Round of 32, with the young side showing remarkable attacking efficiency despite playing twice on the same day.

Ghana’s latest success extends their winning streak to seven matches, having won all five group-stage fixtures before overcoming Korea Republic and Mexico in the knockout rounds.

The team have now scored 34 goals in seven matches, establishing themselves as one of the competition’s most prolific sides as they continue their pursuit of the title in Azerbaijan.

Their campaign began with a 4-1 victory over Uzbekistan, followed by a 7-1 win against Myanmar, successive 7-0 triumphs over Guam and the Bahamas, and a 2-1 success against Kazakhstan. They subsequently defeated Korea Republic 2-1 before dismantling Mexico.

Sulemana Leads Ghana’s Charge

Sulemana’s four-goal contribution against Mexico proved crucial, as the number 11 shirted forward produced a standout performance to strengthen Ghana’s position among the leading contenders in the competition.

His display also complemented Issah’s continued scoring form, giving Ghana two influential attacking outlets as they negotiated their second knockout assignment of the day.

The Black Comets have demonstrated their ability to score against a variety of opposition, including Uzbekistan, Myanmar, Kazakhstan and Korea Republic, while also recording convincing victories against Guam and the Bahamas.

Their latest result is particularly significant because it followed the demanding encounter against Korea Republic, which required Ghana to remain composed against a disciplined opponent before securing qualification.

With seven victories from seven matches, the team will enter the quarter-finals with considerable confidence.

However, maintaining their defensive organisation and managing the physical demands of the tournament will be important as the quality of opposition increases.

FIFA Festival Expands Opportunities for Young Players

The FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival is a new international youth football initiative introduced to expand access to competitive opportunities for young players, particularly those from countries that rarely feature prominently in FIFA tournaments.

The inaugural boys’ edition is taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from October 24 to 30, 2026, with 189 FIFA member associations represented and more than 3,000 players, coaches and officials participating.

The initiative forms part of FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme and is designed to help young footballers gain international experience, test themselves against different playing styles and develop their technical abilities in a structured competitive environment.

Matches are played in an eight-a-side format, with two 20-minute halves, smaller pitches, rolling substitutions and kick-ins. The adjustments are intended to increase players’ involvement in matches and support development at an important stage of their football education.

The festival also extends beyond competition, incorporating educational activities and opportunities for players from different countries to interact and learn from one another. Its format divides participating teams into performance tiers based on their earlier results, ensuring that every team continues playing through the final day.

The girls’ edition is scheduled for 2027, with separate boys’ and girls’ tournaments planned annually from 2028.

For Ghana, the immediate objective is to carry their impressive form into the quarter-finals and sustain a campaign that has combined consistent victories with outstanding attacking output.