FC Barcelona has announced that three of its young talents, LucasBernal, VíctorBarbany and DivineIkenna, will be called up to represent Spain at the first FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival to be held in Baku, between 24 and 30 October. The three players, born in 2011 and 15 years old, will be part of the list of 14 selected for the peculiar tournament that will bring together 190 teams and almost 3,000 players.
The announcement, made by the national coach of the category, HernánPérez, indicates that the LaMasia youth players will not be able to participate in the CadeteA and will lose the match against DammA. Bernal will occupy the left defense position, Barbany, who arrived this season from Leganés, will be the organizing midfielder, while Ikenna will be in charge of scoring goals. The three will meet with the rest of the group on Tuesday, October 20 at the LasRozas Football City before traveling to Azerbaijan on Thursday, October 22, where they will stay at the FIFA Athletes' Village.
Although the call was made by Pérez, it will be DavidGordo who will lead the team in Baku, as the coach will be in charge of the U-15 team in a UEFA Development Tournament in Austria from October 25 to November 2. The Spanish team will also include goalkeeper AnderPérez, defenders AlanGuerra, JohnOvie and GaelJoséSeijo, and midfielders EnzoPérez and AntonioAmaya. Spain is in Group E and will face Chile, Congo, Tajikistan, Barbados and Kuwait, with the possibility of advancing to the knockout round on October 28-30 if it overcomes the group.
The Baku tournament presents a new format: eight-on-eight matches in two 20-minute sessions, with 68x47 meter fields. FIFA ensures that each team will play at least nine games, with the option of playing up to 20 games simultaneously. According to Arsène Wenger, director of the World Football Development Division, "at this age the most important thing is to play. Young footballers need quality matches, different rivals and diverse football experiences to evolve." The format includes changes to the rules of the game, such as throw-ins with the foot and offside marking from lines 14 meters from the goal line.
With the call of 14 players and a six-member coaching staff, the Spanish team aims to make the most of this development opportunity. Barça's youth players are preparing to compete on an international stage that promises a unique experience and the possibility of leaving their mark on the history of FIFA U-15. The next phase of the tournament will be played from October 28 to 30, where Spain will seek to advance and consolidate its position among the best young teams in the world.