FIFA Talent Academy Mauritania milestone event celebrates special achievement for football in Africa

The ceremony in the Mauritanian capital was attended by Ahmed Yahya, President of the Mauritanian Football Association (FFRIM), FIFA Chief Football Officer Jill Ellis, CAF Secretary General Véron Mosengo-Omba, over 30 presidents from African FIFA Member Associations and many other distinguished guests from the worlds of sports, government and politics.

The historic event at the country’s FIFA Talent Academy is the first-ever celebration of such an initiative in Africa and is one of the more than 20 FIFA Talent Academies that are already operational around the world. The event also served to demonstrate Mauritania’s commitment and dedication to the development of young talent.

One of the practical objectives of the TDS is to establish 75 elite academies – run by FIFA and the respective host FIFA Member Association – around the world by 2027. These academies will help ensure that the best young talent, both girls and boys, get the best possible coaching, have access to proper facilities and have the chance to play in a competitive environment. This milestone event was another step forward towards creating a global network of excellence and will be followed by many more launches in the upcoming weeks and months.

“Today is a great day for football in Mauritania – a country that is passionate about our beautiful sport [and] where football progresses and grows from day to day,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino in a special video message. “[This is] an extremely important moment for all the young talents in this country. We launched [the FIFA Talent Development Scheme] three years ago with a very simple objective: to give every talented player the chance to maximise their potential, regardless of their origin and situation.”

The President of the Mauritanian Football Association, Ahmed Yahya said: “This is a historic moment for Mauritanian football. The opening of this FIFA Talent Academy in Mauritania demonstrates the confidence of the world body in our commitment to the development of football. This investment in the training of our young talents represents a decisive step towards a more ambitious future for our federation.”

The main goal of the TDS is to raise the standard of national-team football around the world in creating a sustainable legacy for long-term talent development by maximising opportunities for each FIFA Member Association. It provides a structured framework to find, train and give young talents the opportunity to play against the best in their country and beyond, thus ensuring that promising players have access to the highest level of competition.

As part of FIFA’s commitment to creating a sustainable football ecosystem, the TDS establishes a long-term, structured pathway for talent development by integrating football with education and providing essential resources, infrastructure and coaching expertise. A key component of this tailored approach is the presence of FIFA Talent Coaches, who live and work within the country, offering local coaches continuous support and development to elevate coaching standards and strengthen the overall football landscape.

As part of the programme, each FIFA Talent Academy must prioritise safeguarding and education as core elements. By meeting these standards, each academy will ensure a safe environment that promotes the well-being and holistic development of all players.