Russia names 18-player preliminary squad for FIFA under-15 event

The Russian Football Union has named an 18-player preliminary squad for the FIFA Under-15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan. Sport-Express reported the announcement on October 14. Fourteen players will make the final tournament squad.

The list includes three goalkeepers, five defenders, seven midfielders and three forwards. The attacking group consists of Igor Kalyuzhny of Rostov, Matvey Rodionov of Spartak and Yegor Lyusin of Lokomotiv.

The event runs from October 22 to 31. Russia’s initial opponents will be Afghanistan, Djibouti, Sierra Leone, Sudan and Türkiye. The team will then play five additional matches against sides finishing in corresponding positions in other groups.

A total of 191 national teams are expected. Matches will use an eight-a-side format with two 20-minute halves. FIFA’s official event information confirms Azerbaijan as host and the scale of participation.