India Finishes Third in Group K, Enters Tier C at FIFA U15 World Cup

India suffered a 1-6 defeat to Senegal in their fifth and final Group K match at the FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival 2026, held at Pitch 8A of the Hovsan Competition Complex in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Monday. Ronandev Aheibam scored India's lone goal in the 33rd minute. Senegal's Abdoulaye Diallo netted four goals, including a first-half hat-trick (9', 11', 18', 31'), while Georges Kanfom (14') and Pierre Mbengue (23') added one each.

The loss, combined with Cameroon's 2-0 victory over Bahrain, meant India finished third in Group K with 10 points from five matches. Group winners Cameroon and runners-up Senegal, both with 12 points, will proceed to Tiers A and B respectively in the tournament stage. India will now compete in Tier C, vying for positions 65th to 96th, with their tournament stage matches commencing on Wednesday.

Senegal's dominance was evident after an evenly contested opening five minutes. Diallo broke the deadlock in the ninth minute, finishing past India goalkeeper Jenit Ningthoujam, marking the first time India had trailed in five matches. He quickly doubled the lead two minutes later, followed by goals from Kanfom and Mbengue, and completed his hat-trick in the 18th minute. Mbengue added Senegal's fifth in the 23rd minute, and Diallo secured his fourth in the 31st minute. India's goal came from a counter-attack, with Deepak Singh Arambam's low cross met by Ronandev's first-time finish. The tournament, featuring 189 teams, will continue in a knockout format until the final day on October 30.

What to watch: India begins Tier C competition on Wednesday for final standings.

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