* Followed by Oman on Sunday morning and Suriname in the afternoon, Algeria on Monday morning and Argentina in the afternoon
* The 14-member squad comprises four from country’s most successful football academy, Ascent Soccer, who travelled to Sweden and Iceland along with U16 girls
* Where the girls reached the knockout rounds of the Gothia Cup while boys lifted their second Rey Cup title
By Duncan Mlanjira
Malawi U15, that arrived in Baku, Azerbaijan for the inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival 2026, will kickstart their campaign tomorrow against Chinese Taipei at 07:00 CAT.
It will be followed by an encounter against Oman on Sunday morning (10:45) and Suriname in the afternoon (16:15), Algeria on Monday morning (08:30) and Argentina in the afternoon (16:15).
According to FAM Media, the competition will be played in an 8v8 format, with teams progressing from the group phase into different tournament tiers based on their results.
The travelling squad comprises two goalkeepers, four defenders, six midfielders and two forwards — selected from clubs and football academies across the country.
FAM’s Luwinga Academy contributed five players while the country’s most successful football academy, Ascent Soccer, has sent four.
The Luwinga products are defenders, Elisha Nyirenda & Lameck Kamanga and midfielders Miracle Ndovie, Jazaka Amidu & Innocent Kim.
Ascent Soccer’s are defenders Ruben Namate & Favour Mwiba and midfielders Takutzwa Maluwe & Rex Thomas Maiden.
The Ascent players
The others are goalkeepers Prince Santos (Walkers FC) and Fightwell Msukwa (Bruno de Lions), midfielders Sipho Madinga Ngwira (Chiweta Young Bata) and forwards Initious Adam (Soche Madrid) and Innocent Jauma (Nyambadwe FC).
“For these boys, it’s a chance to compete, learn and discover what’s possible against some of the world’s very best,” says Ascent Soccer in its statement.
“This past summer, Ascent’s U14 boys and U16 girls travelled to Sweden and Icelandplaying 31 matches, scoring 97 goals and reaching the knockout rounds of the Gothia Cup.
“The boys also lifted their second Rey Cup title. Now, four of those young talents are heading to the world’s biggest stage.
“They join a growing generation of Ascent student-athletes representing Malawi internationally. With these four new national team slots, this brings Ascent’s total to a whopping 54 boys and girls representing their nation on both the youth and senior squads.
“From Ascent Soccer to the world, the pathway is becoming clearer,” Ascent proudly says in the statement, while describing the players’ contribution as marking another milestone for the academy and bringing Ascent’s total to 54 international players.
“Favour Mwiba (15) as “a brave, intelligent full-back and natural leader who reads the game exceptionally well.
“Ruben Namate (14) is a lethal finisher and incredibly composed in front of goal. This past summer, he scored 20 goals during Ascent’s European tour of Sweden and Iceland”.
“Rex Maiden (14) is a dynamic winger, an exceptional dribbler and a natural goal scorer and Takudzwa Maluwe (15) is a tremendous athlete, quick, agile and full of energy.”
On its part, FAM says: “For the young players, the experience offers an opportunity to test themselves against international opposition, encounter different playing styles and gain valuable exposure at a formative stage of their careers.”
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