KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia emerged as the only team from South-East Asia to advance to Tier B at the 2026 FIFA Under-15 World Cup and Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The national youth squad, coached by P. Maniam, achieved this proud feat after finishing Group H as runners-up with three wins, one draw, and one defeat, thereby qualifying for the Round of 32 of Tier B.
Tier B is the second-highest tier of the tournament, bringing together teams ranked from 33rd to 64th best.
Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan described the achievement as proof of the national youth players’ ability to compete on the international stage, while also reflecting the positive development of the country’s grassroots football.
“I’m happy and satisfied with the performance shown by the national Under-15 football squad coached by P. Maniam at the 2026 FIFA Under-15 World Cup and Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan.
“What we are even more proud of is that Malaysia emerged as the only team from South-East Asia to succeed in advancing to the Tier B stage, thereby proving the capability of the national youth line-up to compete on the international stage,” he said yesterday.
The U-15 squad are scheduled to face South Africa in the Tier B round of 32 today.
