San Pedro’s Malick Bowden is among 14 young footballers selected to represent Belize at the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan, from October 24–30, 2026. The Under-15 Boys’ National Football Team left Belize on Monday, October 19th, to compete in the international youth tournament.
Belize has been drawn in Group F alongside Costa Rica, Curaçao, Liberia, Morocco, and the Philippines. The team is scheduled to open its campaign against Liberia on Saturday, October 24th.
FIFA says matches will be played in an eight-a-side format. Teams will first compete in a round-robin qualification stage, with their results determining placement in one of six performance tiers for the tournament stage. No team will be eliminated, and a winner will be crowned in each tier. The top-tier winner will be named the tournament champion.
The Football Federation of Belize (FFB) said more than 30 young footballers from across the country took part in tryouts. However, the tournament allows only 14 players per team.
“We recognize and applaud the effort and commitment of every player who participated, including those who will continue working towards their next opportunity,” the FFB stated. “International competition adds another opportunity to grow. Our players will test their skills against teams from around the world, learn different styles of play and gain experience they can bring back to their clubs and communities.”
The FFB noted that, for some players, this will be their first time traveling abroad. The federation highlighted the opportunity to experience a new country, discover different cultures and traditions, and connect with young people who share their love for football.
The San Pedro Town Council’s sports department and members of the island’s sporting community expressed pride in Bowden’s selection. “Malick has been part of our football family for the past five years, growing with us from our Football Academy to Mundialito and now being part of our Youth Program,” the sports department stated.
Bowden has also played with the San Pedro Pirates’ youth program. The club wished him success at the international tournament.
Belize’s technical team comprises Head Coach Wayne Casimiro, Assistant Coach Dale Pelayo, and FIFA Talent Coach Joaquin Lobon. The delegation also includes team doctor Ryan Gentle, physiotherapist Dennys Belisle, and team manager and safeguarding officer Heraldo Ramcharan.