GFF U-15 Boys Conclude Historic FIFA World Cup & Festival Campaign in Azerbaijan

October 26, 2026, Georgetown, Guyana- Guyana’s U-15 Boys National Team concluded its campaign at the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan, following five matches against international opposition from October 24–26 at the Hovsan Competition Complex.

The 14-man squad, captained by defender Nyron Borrow and led by Head Coach Trevon Lythcott, represented Guyana at the historic competition, gaining valuable international experience while competing against teams from different footballing backgrounds.

Guyana opened its campaign on Saturday, October 24, against Iran, suffering a 6-0 defeat. The Golden Jaguars returned to action on Sunday, October 25, for a double-header, drawing 1-1 with Mauritius before falling 3-1 to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Jadan Christian scored Guyana’s equaliser against Mauritius in the 36th minute, while Kijani Drakes found the net in the 30th minute against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The team responded positively in its fourth match on Monday, October 26, securing a 3-0 victory over Brunei Darussalam. Jashan Haynes opened the scoring in the 13th minute, followed by Jadan Christian in the 35th minute and Mark Stewart in the 39th minute, as Guyana recorded its first win of the campaign.

In their final match, the young Golden Jaguars faced Vietnam, with Jaden Christian scoring in the 15th minute. Despite their efforts, Guyana suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat, bringing its participation in the competition to a close.

GFF President Wayne Forde commended the players, technical staff and support personnel for their representation of Guyana, highlighting the importance of international exposure and the Federation’s continued investment in youth development.

“On behalf of the Guyana Football Federation, I extend my highest commendations to our players, coaching staff, and support personnel for carrying the Golden Arrowhead with immense pride and distinction throughout this historic campaign. You have served as exemplary ambassadors for our nation, demonstrating profound discipline and an unyielding fighting spirit upon the global stage.

This landmark tournament reinforces our unwavering commitment to providing Guyana’s youth with the international exposure necessary to compete at the highest levels. In youth development, final scorelines rarely tell the whole story. The true triumph lies in the invaluable experience our young men gained by testing themselves against diverse nations and distinct philosophies of play.

“This campaign provides us with a clear measure of the work required to close the gap between our programme and the developed football world. It is precisely why we continue to accelerate our investments in the National Youth Ensemble Programme, coaching education, and robust infrastructure, strategic pillars that will yield transformative benefits for generations to come.

I deeply thank our staff for their absolute professionalism and wish the entire delegation a safe journey home. Rest assured, all of Guyana stands proud of your historic effort.”

The inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival brought together 189 of FIFA’s 211 Member Associations, with more than 3,000 players, coaches and officials participating in a landmark event designed to expand international football opportunities for young players. The competition was introduced to ensure that Member Associations of all sizes and footballing traditions could access meaningful international competition and provide their emerging talent with opportunities to develop on the global stage.

The tournament featured an innovative eight-a-side format, with two 20-minute halves, on smaller pitches suited to the development needs of U-15 players. Beyond the matches, the festival incorporated educational activities and opportunities for cultural exchange, reinforcing its emphasis on player development, enjoyment and international cooperation. The inaugural boys’ edition is scheduled to be followed by a girls’ edition in 2027, with separate boys’ and girls’ competitions planned from 2028 onwards.

For Guyana, participation in this historic event represents an important step in the continued development of youth football and the preparation of young players for international competition. The opportunity to face a diverse range of opponents provided the squad with valuable lessons in tactical awareness, match management, resilience and the demands of international football. The experience gained in Azerbaijan will contribute to the ongoing process of developing Guyana’s next generation of footballers as the Federation continues to invest in youth development and create pathways for emerging talent.