Afghanistan U15 Football Squad Cut to 16 After Nationwide Talent Search

Afghanistan’s under-15 national football team is continuing daily training in Kabul after a nationwide talent-identification programme reduced a pool of more than 60 young players to a final training group of 16.

The preparations are intended to ready the squad for a FIFA under-15 football festival in Azerbaijan in 2026, according to information provided by the Afghanistan Football Federation.

The selection process began across six football zones in Afghanistan, with promising players invited to Kabul for further assessment. More than 60 candidates entered the selection stage before technical evaluations reduced the group to 25.

A further assessment left 16 players in the final training camp, giving the coaching staff a smaller squad to prepare for the planned international event.

Head coach Elias Ahmad Manochehr is overseeing the sessions alongside Taher Raoufi and Ali Jabir Laali. The programme focuses on technical skills, team coordination and match readiness.

The reduction from more than 60 players to 16 is a significant part of the federation’s youth development effort. It offers a route from regional scouting to national-team training for players identified outside Kabul as well as in the capital.

The federation says the programme is intended to strengthen grassroots football and identify players who could contribute to Afghanistan’s future national teams.

The information released did not specify the festival’s exact dates, match schedule, participating teams or the full list of selected Afghan players.