Panaji: Bibiano Fernandes has accepted a proposal from the All India Soccer Federation (AIFF) to teach the nationwide crew for the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Pageant 2026 later this 12 months in Azerbaijan.The previous India U-17 coach was the technical committee’s best choice for the U-15 job. Final week, the AIFF govt authorized his appointment as head coach, whereas Minerva Academy proprietor Ranjit Bajaj received the nod as supervisor.Bibiano, it’s understood, was not comfy with Bajaj because the crew supervisor, fearing interference. However sources stated the “roles and duties” for each positions at the moment are clearly outlined within the contracts.A former India midfielder, Bibiano is India’s most profitable coach in nationwide youth groups competitions. He guided India to 3 successive AFC U-16/17 Asian Cups between 2018 and 2023, and recorded a well-known 2-1 win in opposition to powerhouse Iran to qualify for this 12 months’s championships.“The teaching and choice will likely be executed solely by the coach,” a senior official instructed TOI on Monday. “There isn’t any scope for interference from anybody. The supervisor’s function has additionally been outlined. It’s a typical supervisor’s place, like on the membership, an administrative function.”It’s unlikely that Bajaj will comply with an administrative function within the crew, the place the supervisor takes care of logistics. His presentation earlier than the technical committee got here with a plan to take India to the 2034 FIFA World Cup.Bajaj’s Minerva Academy is certainly one of India’s most profitable youth soccer setups, profitable trophies at nationwide and worldwide stage.The inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup and Pageant will function all 211 member associations and will likely be performed in an eight-a-side format, with matches consisting of two 20-minute halves. Every crew can register 14 gamers, together with as much as two goalkeepers.
