Eswatini U-15 boys advance in FIFA World Cup festival
The Mandla Sigudla-led team secured a 3-0 win against the Maldives to move into the Tier E cross-elimination bracket.
The Eswatini Under-15 boys' national team has advanced in the Tier E cross-elimination bracket at the FIFA Under-15 World Cup and Festival 2026 in Azerbaijan. The team defeated the Maldives 3-0 early on Wednesday. Samkelo Tsabedze scored in the third minute, Mnotfo Simelane doubled the lead four minutes later, and Junior Shabangu added a third goal five minutes before the end.
Eswatini finished fifth in Group M with three points after beating Samoa 3-0. The tournament features an eight-a-side format on smaller pitches with 20-minute halves. No teams are eliminated after the group stage; instead, nations enter classification tiers based on their group finish. Eswatini will compete for a global ranking between 129th and 160th.
The FIFA festival aims to provide young talent with international exposure and diverse playing styles. Eswatini advances on the winners' path in the Tier E bracket, guaranteeing them four to five matches in the second stage. Victorious teams play fellow winners, while losing sides meet in lower-tier placement ties.
Why it mattersEswatini's Under-15 boys' national football team is competing in an international tournament, advancing in a cross-elimination bracket.