The spirit of FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival™ encapsulated by São Tomé and Príncipe

Spain won the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival™ after beating Czechia 3-0, but the event’s broader impact played out far from the main spotlight. The tournament, open to all FIFA Member Associations, brought 189 teams to Azerbaijan, including 78 at their first FIFA competition. São Tomé and Príncipe, one of Africa’s smallest nations with a population just over 200,000, played 10 matches against opponents from five confederations. Their standout result was a 3-2 win over the Bahamas. Beyond football, players experienced flights, the Baku metro, and local life. Coach Lígia Santos was the only female head coach at the event and advocates for more women in coaching.