The support from clubs around the country has helped to propel the Ireland Men’s Under-15s into the Tournament Stage of the 2026 FIFA Men’s Under-15 World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The Boys in Green topped Group C following victories over Montenegro, Zimbabwe, England and Cambodia, as well as a draw with Nicaragua. They will now compete in Tier A of the Tournament Stage (Round of 32), where they will face Brazil on Wednesday, October 28th ahead of games on Thursday, October 29th and Friday, October 30th.

The Ireland squad have been able to advance to this stage of the inaugural tournament – which is an 8v8 format played across two 20-minute halves – due to the support that each of the 14 players has received from grassroots and League of Ireland coaches as part of their development.

While each of the players benefitted from involvement in the FAI National Pathways Programme, the support that they all received from their local clubs has been instrumental in helping them to have the technical ability and composure needed to perform on the international stage.

FAI Technical Director Shane Robinson said: "This is a fantastic achievement for the players and staff, and progressing unbeaten into the knock-out stages is something tthat hey should be very proud of.

"It's also an opportunity to recognise the tremendous work being done by clubs and coaches across Irish football in developing young players. Thirteen of the 14 players currently represent League of Ireland clubs, highlighting the importance of our domestic academy pathway, alongside the grassroots clubs and coaches who have supported their development since a young age.

"International football is another step in their journey. The foundations are built through the work taking place in clubs every week, and it's important we acknowledge that contribution."

Led by FAI International Coaches Graham Gartland and Richie Smith, this is an Ireland squad who are hard-working and capable of mixing with some of the best teams from around the world in their age group.

The unbeaten run of five games across three days started with Davin Quinn recording a clean sheet in a 4-0 triumph over Montenegro with goals fired in by Tom Casey, Harry Rehill and Nathan Power (2).

A superb 5-3 comeback win over Zimbabwe saw Conor Hudson net a hat-trick with Casey and Billy Carney also on target. Ireland then drew 3-3 with Nicaragua with Darragh Nolan getting their first goal before Power and Rehill also chipped in.

On the third day of action, Rehill scored four times in a 4-1 victory over England, before they finished up against Cambodia – again winning 4-1 – with Hudson (2), Power and Rehill supplying the goals.

With six different players on target across the 20 goals scored in their five group games, Ireland have showed that they are making the most of their involvement in this tournament. It’s clear that they have had some excellent coaching along the way.

Ireland Men’s Under-15 Squad
Goalkeepers: Davin Quinn (Shamrock Rovers), Jake Morgan (Coleraine)

Defenders: Jaidee Foley (Cork City), Tom Casey (Shamrock Rovers), Gearoid Moran (Shelbourne), Robert Morgan (St. Patrick’s Athletic)

Midfielders: Fionnán Ó’Snodaigh (Bray Wanderers), Joe Manicle (Shamrock Rovers), Billy Carney (Waterford), Harry Rehill (Shamrock Rovers)

Forwards: Fionn McCormack Crowe (Shamrock Rovers), Darragh Nolan (Shelbourne), Conor Hudson (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Nathan Power (Waterford)

Staff: Graham Gartland, Richie Smith (International Coaches), Dylan O’Neill (Goalkeeping Coach), Dr. John Browne (Team Doctor), Seamus McWalter (Physio), Andy Byrne (Equipment Officer), Alan O’Halloran (Team Operations Manager)

2026 FIFA MU15 World Cup Results – Group C
Saturday, October 24th | Ireland 4-0 Montenegro
Sunday, October 25th | Ireland 5-3 Zimbabwe
Sunday, October 25th | Nicaragua 3-3 Ireland
Monday, October 26th | Ireland 4-1 England
Monday, October 26th | Cambodia 1-4 Ireland

Goalscorers
7 – Harry Rehill
5 – Conor Hudson
4 – Nathan Power
2 – Tom Casey
1 – Billy Carney, Darragh Nolan

Clean Sheet
1 – Davin Quinn