Antigua and Barbuda’s national Under-15 football squad departed for Azerbaijan on Tuesday to participate in the U15 World Cup Festival.

The young Benna Boys were given an emotional send-off at the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) Technical Center, where family members and friends gathered to wish them well ahead of the international competition.

The players, dressed in their national team attire, posed for photographs with supporters before beginning their journey.

The ABFA described the departure as the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the young footballers, who will have an opportunity to represent Antigua and Barbuda on the international stage.

The association said the players were travelling with the support and encouragement of their loved ones as they prepared to compete overseas.

The tournament will provide the young footballers with international exposure and an opportunity to gain valuable experience against teams from other countries.

The inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival will bring together teams from approximately 190 national football associations, with matches beginning October 24 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Antigua and Barbuda has been drawn in a group alongside Northern Ireland, Burkina Faso, Eritrea, Lebanon and New Caledonia.

The competition will feature eight-a-side matches lasting 40 minutes, with each team guaranteed multiple games as part of FIFA’s efforts to develop young football talent worldwide.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Antigua and Barbuda U15 football squad departs for Azerbaijan World Cup Festival.