India’s preparations for the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival are beginning to take shape, with Minerva Academy technical director Surinder Singh accepting the role of assistant coach. Bibiano Fernandes is set to remain in charge as head coach, while Ranjit Bajaj’s position remains uncertain.
Surinder, an AFC Pro-Licensed coach, brings considerable experience of working with young players. He has been closely involved with Minerva Academy’s youth set-up and has also worked with their senior side, giving the national team another coach with a strong background in player development.
Fernandes’ continuation brings stability to the set-up. He is arguably India’s most successful youth national team coach in recent years, having guided the country to three successive AFC U-16/U-17 Asian Cup appearances between 2018 and 2023. His biggest result came in the qualifying campaign for the 2025 tournament, when India defeated Iran 2-1 to seal their place in the finals.
Bajaj’s situation, however, remains unresolved. The Minerva founder had written to the AIFF seeking sole charge of the U-15 side for the World Cup. He was subsequently offered the team manager’s position, but concerns over a potential overlap with Fernandes’ responsibilities meant he did not initially accept the role. His involvement is now expected to be largely administrative, although it remains unclear whether Bajaj will continue with the team.
Bajaj had also presented his long-term vision to the AIFF Technical Committee, including a roadmap aimed at taking India to the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
The FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival will be a new-format tournament involving all 211 FIFA member associations. Matches will be played eight-a-side, with two 20-minute halves, while squads can consist of 14 players, including up to two goalkeepers.
India are expected to begin their selection-cum-training camp on August 15. With Fernandes leading the footballing side and Surinder joining as his assistant, attention will now turn to putting together a squad capable of making the most of India’s first appearance at the new-age FIFA youth event.
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