The inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup in Azerbaijan has brought together representatives and national teams from 189 countries, creating a global platform to evaluate youth football conditions in an international competitive setting. Among the attendees is Mikel Arriola, commissioner and president of the Mexican Football Federation, who discussed the tournament’s concept and its implications for Mexican youth football amid ongoing domestic discussions surrounding the status of promotion and relegation in the Liga MX.
Speaking about the new FIFA competition, Arriola praised the initiative for engaging 189 nations at the under-15 level, noting the milestone it represents for players achieving historical first victories and building early international experience. He also commended the host country, Azerbaijan, for staging the event.
Regarding the performance of the Mexican squad, Arriola reported that the young players, aged 14 to 15, have adapted well to the tournament requirements, which include playing eight-a-side football on artificial turf pitches. He highlighted their concentration, teamwork, and strong start under the guidance of the coaching staff.
The conversation also addressed how the current absence of promotion and relegation in the top-tier Liga MX might impact the broader football pyramid and future competitive pathways. Arriola outlined the federation’s foundational efforts, noting a grassroots framework that begins in primary schools with a tournament involving 1.3 million players annually across fifth and sixth grades.
According to Arriola, structured promotion paths are being built upward from the amateur sector, through the professional Third Division, the Premier League, and the Expansion League. He stated that officials are actively evaluating the best mechanism for promotion into the First Division, which includes exploring ways to integrate Mexico’s nearly 1,400 public and private universities while continuing to generate resources for the sport.
While declining to offer a specific prediction on how far the Mexican team will advance in the tournament, Arriola emphasized the country’s strong potential at this age group and expressed support for FIFA’s vision of using the competition as a developmental festival.
