Malawi’s Junior Flames departed for Baku, Azerbaijan, on Wednesday to compete in the inaugural FIFA Under-15 World Cup & Festival 2026, scheduled for 22–31 October.
Head coach Joseph Malizani leads a 14-player squad selected from clubs and football academies across Malawi. The team completed their final preparations in Lilongwe ahead of their first appearance at the competition.
Malawi have been drawn in Group B alongside Algeria, Argentina, Chinese Taipei, Oman and Suriname. Malizani’s side open their campaign against Chinese Taipei on Saturday, face Oman and Suriname on Sunday, and conclude their group fixtures against Algeria and Argentina on Monday.
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.
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.
Full Squad:
GOALKEEPERS
Prince Santos (Walkers FC) and Fightwell Msukwa (Bruno de Lions).
DEFENDERS
Elisha Nyirenda and Lameck Kamanga (Luwinga Academy), Ruben Namate and Favour Mwiba (Ascent Academy).
MIDFIELDERS
Miracle Ndovie, Jazaka Amidu and Innocent Kim (Luwinga Academy), Takutzwa Maluwe and Rex Thomas Maiden (Ascent Academy), and Sipho Madinga Ngwira (Chiweta Young Bata).
FORWARDS
Initious Adam (Soche Madrid) and Innocent Jauma (Nyambadwe FC).
