India see off Bahrain to preserve unbeaten run in FIFA U15 World Cup

Bahrain 3 (Rashed Abdulrahman 28’, Zeyad Aun 29’, 40’)

lost to
India 4 (Macdonnish Ngairangbam 16’, R Lalremruatfela 19’, 38’, Nibas Meetei Wahengbam 39’)

26 Oct, 2026

AIFF Media Release

BAKU, AZERBAIJAN: India maintained pole position in Group K of the FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival Azerbaijan 2026 with a hard-fought 4-3 victory over Bahrain at the Hovsan Competition Complex Pitch 9A in Baku on Monday, October 26, 2026.

Macdonnish Ngairangbam (16') and R Lalremruatfela (19’) gave India a two-goal half-time lead before Bahrain hit back through Rashed Abdulrahman (28') and Zeyad Aun (29'). Lalremruatfela (38') restored the lead before Nibas Meetei Wahengbam (39') made it 4-2, with Aun pulling one back for the West Asians in the final minute.

In other simultaneous Group K fixtures, Senegal defeated Laos 9-0, while Cameroon beat Grenada 4-1. The afternoon's results leave India top of the table with 10 points from four matches, followed by Senegal and Cameroon on nine points each. Bahrain have four, while Laos and Grenada have one apiece. The Blue Colts will face Senegal in the fifth and final group stage fixture at 21:00 IST tonight. The match will be streamed live on dazn.com.

Both India and Bahrain made a cautious start and traded possession. Bibiano Fernandes' side looked to break the deadlock through R Lalremruatfela and Muhammad Sohil Khan on the left.

In the seventh minute, Sohil attempted an ambitious long-range volley off a loose ball that went off target, while Bahrain’s Ridha Ebrahim tested India’s backline in the 10th minute before skimming a free-kick just over the crossbar in the 12th. Nara Meitei Loushambam came close for India a minute later with a free-kick that drifted wide.

The tempo surged in the 14th minute when Bahrain’s goalkeeper Abdulla Alrowaiei charged off his line to deny Macdonnish Ngairangbam in a crucial one-on-one. Unfazed, India opened the scoring just two minutes later through a brilliant link-up: skipper Birjit Singh Amom teed up Macdonnish, who made no mistake, sweeping a crisp first-time finish past the keeper from the edge of the area.

India custodian Jenit Ningthoujam then maintained the momentum, producing a fine leaping stop to keep out Rashed Abdulrahman’s effort. Two minutes later, Lalremruatfela won possession in the attacking third and drilled a precise left-footed shot into the far corner to make it 2-0 at half-time.

Bahrain returned with urgency before Deepak Singh Arambam tried his luck in the 26th minute, sending a volley over the bar from Birjit’s cross.

A rapid double strike brought Bahrain level. First, Abdulrahman unleashed a long-range bolt into the top corner in the 28th minute. A minute later, Sayed Alalawi floated in a kick-in for Zeyad Aun to head home the equaliser.

But the Blue Colts were not done yet. They too struck twice even later. Soumojit Sarkar’s floating diagonal ball found Lalremruatfela in the 38th minute, who controlled it brilliantly before slotting it home for his fifth goal of the tournament. A minute later, Lalremruatfela surged down the left and picked out Nibas Meetei Wahengbam at the far post, who first saw his header blocked, but was quick to hammer the rebound into the roof of the net to make it 4-2.

In the last minute, Aun struck a long-range effort for Bahrain to reduce the deficit. India defended their lead and secured all three points in the first match of the final day of the group stage. It confirmed a top-three finish for the Blue Colts in the group. A win against Senegal will guarantee the top spot and entry into Tier A of the competition stage. A draw will be enough if Cameroon fail to beat Bahrain.

India U15 men's starting 8 vs Bahrain: Jenit Ningthoujam (GK), Nara Meitei Loushambam, Muhammad Sohil Khan, Soumojit Sarkar, Birjit Singh Amom (C), R Lalremruatfela, Macdonnish Ngairangbam, Deepak Singh Arambam.

Substitutes: Dhannya Desai (GK), Pratham Kumar, Nibas Meetei Wahengbam, C Lalhmingropuia, Victor Lalawmpuia, Ronandev Aheibam.

PC: AIFF

Blue Colts held by Grenada in FIFA U15 World Cup

 

Grenada 3 (Jaywarni Noel 31’, 37’, Kai Wilson 33’)
drew with
India 3 (Macdonnish Ngairangbam 3’, C Lalhmingropuia 22’, Ronandev Aheibam 29’)

AIFF Media Release

25 Oct 2026

BAKU, AZERBAIJAN: India remained unbeaten at the inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival Azerbaijan 2026 after a 3-3 draw against Grenada in their third Group K match at the Hovsan Competition Complex Pitch 1B in Baku on Sunday, October 25, 2026.

However, the Blue Colts would see these as two points lost rather than a point gained, as they led 3-0 with 11 minutes remaining.

Macdonnish Ngairangbam’s (3') opener set the tempo of the first half. Skipper C Lalhmingropuia (22') doubled the lead soon after the restart with a solid strike. A brilliant individual effort from Ronandev Aheibam (29') extended the lead to 3-0. Grenada then responded with a six-minute blitz. Jaywarni Noel’s brace alongside Kai Wilson’s long-range strike saw both sides share the spoils at the full-time whistle.

This was India's second match of the day. Bibiano Fernandes' boys had won 2-1 against Cameroon in the morning.

On a cloudy afternoon in Baku, India started off with intensity from the opening whistle, keeping Grenada pinned in their own half. The early dominance paid quick dividends in the third minute when Nibas Meetei Wahengbam’s through ball from the right into the Grenada box allowed Macdonnish Ngairangbam to latch onto it and tap it past the advancing Grenada keeper, Kharin Steele, to give India a 1-0 lead.

The Blue Colts then maintained the momentum for the remainder of the first half, relentlessly creating chances. R Lalremruatfela saw a first-time strike tipped over the crossbar, while Macdonnish’s half-volley nearly doubled the lead in the 10th minute, only to be denied off the goal line.

Grenada offered a brief threat in the 15th minute through Jaywarni Noel, when his effort went wide, but India were quick to regain control. In the 17th minute, Lalremruatfela produced a brilliant solo run down the right touchline, beating his marker before striking the post from an acute angle.

After the restart, Bibiano Fernandes’ side doubled their advantage in the 22nd minute through C Lalhmingropuia. Following a long ball from Soumojit Sarkar that bounced off Grenada defender Omari McSween, Lalhmingropuia reacted quickest outside the penalty area. Chesting the ball, he let it drop to his feet before firing a powerful strike into the net to make it 2-0.

The Blue Colts struck again seven minutes later through Ronandev Aheibam when he embarked on a solo run down the left. He danced past two defenders, burst into the box and calmly slotted home to stretch the lead to 3-0.

But right when the match seemed settled, the Caribbean side struck through Jaywarni Noel and Kai Wilson to make it 3-2 by the 33rd minute. Grenada’s equaliser arrived in the 37th minute through Noel, who tapped home his second after a free-kick.

Other simultaneous Group K fixtures saw both Cameroon and Senegal pick up 6-1 wins against Laos and Bahrain, respectively. Despite that, the Blue Colts remain the only unbeaten side in the group with seven points. Cameroon and Senegal follow with six points each. Bahrain have four, while Laos and Grenada have one each.

India will conclude the qualification stage with two remaining matches on Monday, October 26, facing Bahrain at 14:15 IST before taking on Senegal at 21:00 IST. Their results across the five matches will determine which performance tier they enter for the second phase. All matches are streamed live for free on dazn.com.

India U15 men's starting 8 vs Grenada: Dhannya Desai (GK), Nara Meitei Loushambam, Muhammad Sohil Khan, Soumojit Sarkar, R Lalremruatfela, Nibas Meetei Wahengbam, Macdonnish Ngairangbam, C Lalhmingropuia (C).

Substitutes: Jenit Ningthoujam (GK), Pratham Kumar, Birjit Singh Amom, Victor Lalawmpuia, Ronandev Aheibam, Deepak Singh Arambam.

PC: AIFF

India beat Cameroon at FIFA U15 World Cup!

India 2 (Fareil Ngobo 1' og, R Lalremruatfela 27')

defeated
Cameroon 1 (Muhammad Sohil Khan 20' og)

AIFF Media Release

25 Oct 2026

BAKU, AZERBAIJAN: India continued their winning start at the inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival Azerbaijan 2026, defeating Cameroon 2-1 in their second Group K match at the Hovsan Competition Complex Pitch 1B in Baku on Sunday, October 25, 2026.

An own goal by Fareil Ngobo (1') gave the Blue Colts an early lead, but Cameroon equalised through Muhammad Sohil Khan's own goal (20') at the stroke of half-time (20'). R Lalremruatfela (27') restored India's advantage in the second half, while goalkeeper Jenit Ningthoujam produced a series of saves, including a penalty stop, to secure the victory. India are now the only team in Group K to have won both their matches so far.

Despite the rainy conditions, the Blue Colts made an immediate impact. Deepak Singh Arambam's corner in the first minute caused confusion in the Cameroon box, with Ngobo attempting a headed clearance that sent the ball into his own net.

Cameroon gradually increased the pressure, but India defended resolutely, closing down opponents in one-on-one situations and making timely sliding tackles to keep their lead intact.

Bibiano Fernandes' boys nearly doubled their advantage in the 14th minute. Deepak's kick-in caused further uncertainty in the Cameroon defence, as goalkeeper Sunny-Hansel Ndeh failed to gather the ball. With the defence unable to clear and the goalkeeper out of position, captain R Lalremruatfela turned towards an almost unguarded goal, but a last-ditch block denied him.

Jenit then came to India's rescue with a series of important saves. In the 16th minute, he produced an excellent stop to keep out a Cameroon free-kick, before denying Randy Ngome's first-time effort from inside the box a minute later. He was called into action again in the 18th minute, keeping out Ndam Moctar's one-on-one attempt from a tight angle.

India continued to threaten at the other end, with Deepak firing into the side netting from the edge of the box in the 19th minute. Cameroon, however, found their equaliser in the 20th minute when Moctar's cross from the right struck Muhammad Sohil Khan and deflected into the net for an own goal.

India began the second half with renewed intent, introducing Ronandev Aheibam at the interval. The substitute made an immediate contribution, winning possession with a strong tackle in midfield in the 27th minute before playing the ball wide to Deepak. The latter delivered a measured low cross into the box, where Lalremruatfela showed excellent composure to guide a first-time, left-footed finish into the bottom corner and restore India's lead.

Cameroon were awarded a penalty in the 31st minute after Nara Meitei Loushambam handled a shot from outside the box. Jenit, however, continued his impressive performance, saving Harouna Abdoulaye's spot-kick in the 32nd minute to preserve India's advantage.

The Blue Colts remained on the front foot in the closing stages. Ronandev tested Ndeh with a fierce strike from the right side of the box in the 33rd minute, before the Cameroon goalkeeper tipped Soumojit Sarkar's free-kick over the crossbar two minutes later.

India managed the closing moments well, holding their shape and seeing out the contest to secure a second successive victory.

Elsewhere in Group K, Laos drew 1-1 with Bahrain, while Senegal defeated Grenada 7-1. India will next face Grenada later on Sunday at 17:15 IST, before concluding the qualification stage against Bahrain and Senegal on October 26. Their results across the five matches will determine which performance tier they enter for the second phase. All matches are streamed live for free on dazn.com.

India U15 men's starting 8 vs Cameroon: Jenit Ningthoujam (GK), Nara Meitei Loushambam, Muhammad Sohil Khan, Soumojit Sarkar, Birjit Singh Amom, R Lalremruatfela (C), Macdonnish Ngairangbam, Deepak Singh Arambam.

Substitutes: Dhannya Desai (GK), Pratham Kumar, Nibas Meetei Wahengbam, C Lalhmingropuia, Victor Lalawmpuia, Ronandev Aheibam.

India begin FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival with win over Laos

Laos 2 (Anavin Xayyasone 12', Souksavanh Siliseng 24')
lost to
India 4 (Macdonnish Ngairangbam 7', R Lalremruatfela 11', 31', Soumojit Sarkar 33')

AIFF Media Release

BAKU, AZERBAIJAN: India began their campaign at the inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival Azerbaijan 2026 with a 4-2 victory over Laos in their Group K opener at the Hovsan Competition Complex Pitch 1B in Baku on Saturday, October 24, 2026.

Captain Macdonnish Ngairangbam (7') and R Lalremruatfela (11') handed the Blue Colts an early two-goal advantage before Anavin Xayyasone (12') halved the deficit for Laos. Souksavanh Siliseng (24') equalised for the Southeast Asians soon after half-time, but India finished strong, with Lalremruatfela (31') and Soumojit Sarkar (33') firing from long range to restore the lead and secure the nation's first three points at a FIFA tournament.

The tournament features 189 national teams divided into 32 groups, with matches played in an eight-a-side format. Each match consists of two 20-minute halves, with rolling substitutions permitted.

Bibiano Fernandes' Blue Colts made a bright start on Saturday morning and created two chances in the opening four minutes. A powerful left-footed effort from inside the box by Deepak Singh Arambam was pushed away by the Laos goalkeeper Anousith Souksavanh in the third minute, before Macdonnish was denied by the advancing custodian a minute later.

India took the lead in the seventh minute after brilliant footwork from Deepak, who worked his way into the small box before cutting the ball back for Macdonnish to tap home.

The pressure continued to pay off, with India doubling their advantage in the 11th minute. A Laos clearance was blocked by Deepak, and the ball fell to R Lalremruatfela, who took a touch before slamming home with his left boot.

Laos responded almost immediately, pulling a goal back in the 12th minute through Anavin Xayyasone, whose long-range effort left India goalkeeper Jenit Ningthoujam rooted to the spot.

The tempo dropped following the early flurry of goals, with neither side creating a clear-cut opportunity before the five-minute half-time break.

India threatened again after the restart, with a header from Macdonnish drifting inches wide following a corner in the 21st minute. Laos, however, drew level three minutes later when Souksavanh Siliseng struck first time from outside the box, finding the bottom corner.

The equaliser prompted India to raise their intensity, with much of the play taking place in the Laos half.

The Blue Colts regained the lead in the 31st minute, with R Lalremruatfela collecting a pass from Soumojit Sarkar before firing left-footed into the far corner from outside the box to make it 3-2.

India extended their advantage in the 33rd minute when Sarkar struck from just inside the halfway line, sending the ball over the goalkeeper and into the net.

The Blue Colts managed the remainder of the match well to preserve their two-goal advantage and secure all three points.

India will next face Cameroon on Sunday, October 25, at 10:30 IST, before taking on Grenada later the same day at 17:15 IST. They will conclude the qualification stage against Bahrain and Senegal on October 26. Their results across the five matches will determine which performance tier they enter for the second phase. All matches are streamed live for free on dazn.com.

India U15 men's starting 8 vs Laos: Jenit Ningthoujam (GK), Pratham Kumar, Nara Meitei Loushambam, Soumojit Sarkar, R Lalremruatfela, Macdonnish Ngairangbam (C), C Lalhmingropuia, Deepak Singh Arambam.

Substitutes: Dhannya Desai (GK), Muhammad Sohil Khan, Birjit Singh Amom, Nibas Meetei Wahengbam, Victor Lalawmpuia, Ronandev Aheibam.

PC: AIFF