Coach Rajab Farajzada predicts easy semifinal run for Azerbaijani minifootball team

Rajab Farajzada, a coach with Azerbaijan’s U-23 minifootball team, is confident that the national team will comfortably book their spot in the semifinals of the 2025 WMF World Cup, currently underway in Baku.

Speaking to Report, Farajzada praised the team’s thorough preparation ahead of the tournament.

“We wrapped up the national championship early, back in March, specifically to focus on World Cup preparations,” he noted. “The team went through intensive training camps and played several friendlies. In my opinion, they’re in top shape.”

The Azerbaijani squad draws heavily from local powerhouses Beerbasha Baku and Zira, with Beerbasha recently crowned Champions League winners. “Zira is also a very competitive team,” Farajzada added. “With this roster, I believe Azerbaijan can easily make it to the semifinals. That’s the minimum expectation.”

Farajzada also weighed in on the tournament favorites, naming Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Serbia as strong contenders. “I haven’t watched every squad yet, but I’ve heard that Türkiye is also bringing a very determined side.”

The WMF World Cup, hosted at Baku’s National Gymnastics Arena, runs through June 1. Azerbaijan kicks off its Group A campaign tonight at 20:30 (GMT+4) against Bahrain.