BAKU-2025

The Azerbaijan Mini Football Federation has devised a series of initiatives for the advancement and increased popularisation of this sport within the nation. The staging of international contests across diverse categories holds a distinguished position among these. It is heartening that the Federation's proposal to conduct the 2025 World Cup in Baku received an affirmative response. Consequently, next year's championship will take place in the Azerbaijani capital. In light of this, the unveiling ceremony for the Baku-2025 World Cup was conducted.

Baku's Global Expertise

President of the Mini Football Federation, Orkhan Mammadov, remarked that considerable efforts have been invested in recent years within the country to foster the sport, culminating in the conferral of the subsequent championship's organisation to Azerbaijan: "World Cups in various disciplines have been hosted by our nation. For a federation as nascent as ours, this represents a monumental occasion. Sixteen years prior, we embarked on constructing mini-football arenas. Currently, approximately 40 such venues exist in Baku. They facilitate the training of thousands of sportspersons. Mini-football enjoys recognition and affection across all layers of our society. The orchestration of the World Championship in the capital will catalyse an even broader popularisation of this sport."

President of the World Mini Football Federation, Philip Judah, believes that Azerbaijan has established an exceedingly contemporary infrastructure for this sport's growth: "Your country has accomplished much since the inception of the Mini Football Federation. The World Championship in Baku signifies a significant celebration for all. We are confident that in times to come, other nations will derive advantages from the outcomes of your endeavours. The dedication you have exhibited towards mini-football's enhancement in your country aids its global proliferation." Highlighting the presence of sports infrastructure within the nation that aligns with professional benchmarks, the ministry's chief underscored the significance of this aspect in the allocation of the World Championship to Baku.

A memorandum of understanding was inked by Orkhan Mammadov and Philip Judah concerning the World Cup in Azerbaijan's capital, and a formal alliance with the Baku City Ring operating entity was established.

Anticipations from the European Championship

Meanwhile, the Azerbaijani national mini-football squad faces a formidable challenge. The team is slated to compete in the European Championship in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The tournament is scheduled on June 1-8. Positioned in Group F, the Azerbaijani national team will confront the contingents of France, Italy, and Belgium.

Head coach Elshad Guliyev evaluated the prospects of the national team in retaining their title at the World Cup. "The spotlight is on us. Our aspiration is to advance to the final. We find ourselves in a group alongside formidable adversaries. It bears reminding that we hold the second spot in the global rankings. The Azerbaijani contingent stands among the most robust. Our aim is to conclude the contest unscathed. The outcomes of our group stage performances will dictate our continued participation in the championship."

The head coach also elaborated on the national team's preparatory regimen: "Our preparations for the European Championship have been underway for two months now. Training sessions have been interspersed with breaks due to championship fixtures. All is proceeding well. The athletes are in prime condition. Challenging matches lie ahead. It is our hope that we will witness the rewards of our diligent preparations."

Guliyev disclosed their analyses of the adversaries' gameplay at the European Championship: "We have scrutinised the play of France and Italy; they are squads of vast experience. Yet, they are not without their vulnerabilities. Our players exhibit greater speed and technical finesse."

The Azerbaijani national mini-football team secured a gold medal at the European Championship in Slovakia in 2022. It is remarkable that the national team triumphed then, marking only their second participation in a tournament of such stature.