Talent Development Scheme

FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger visited India to kick off the ground-breaking FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS) in the world’s most populous nation, a significant moment in FIFA’s efforts to grow the game and raise standards around the world. The four-day tour included a visit to the new training academy in Bhubaneswar in the state of Odisha, which is part of a wider national initiative to identify and develop the best young talents in the country.

Core Objectives

Develop a nationwide, sustainable youth system
Create clear pathways from grassroots to national teams
Standardize talent ID through scouting and competitions
Introduce systems for a data-driven approach
Upskill coaches via licensing and continuous education
Align with AIFF, AFC, and FIFA standards

Key Strategies

Pathway: Progression through FIFA Talent Academies
Talent ID: Zonal scouting and centralized assessments
Coach Education: Licensing and continuous coach development
Monitoring: GPS, video, wellness, and IDPs
Safeguarding: Policies, training, and player awareness
Holistic Support: Education, life skills, and family outreach
Sports Science: Strength & conditioning, nutrition, psychology, and physiotherapy

Project Summary

To build a sustainable, inclusive, and high-performance youth development ecosystem in India that identifies and nurtures talented players through a structured pipeline from FIFA Talent Academies to Youth National Teams, ensuring long-term national and international success.