Djibouti City witnessed a historic moment on Thursday with the inauguration of the FIFA Talent Academy, signaling a new chapter in the nation’s football development.
The initiative, part of FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme (TDS) led by Arsène Wenger, FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, aims to give every talented young player a fair chance to reach the elite level while boosting the global competitiveness of both men’s and women’s football.
Djibouti becomes only the second African nation after Mauritania — and one of just 42 countries worldwide — to benefit from this transformative programme aligned with FIFA’s vision of raising the level of national teams and reducing regional disparities.
“More than 40 FIFA Talent Academies are now in place globally, with many more under development. The modern facilities of this academy make it a unique centre of excellence in East Africa,” — Gianni Infantino, FIFA President
In collaboration with FIFA, the Djiboutian Football Federation (FDF) has already implemented key stages of the project, including talent identification across six regions in 2024, selecting 20 boys and 20 girls, establishing regional centres that train over 300 young players, and mentoring 15 local coaches under the guidance of a FIFA Talent Coach.
The new academy, officially named the “Douda Football Academy of Excellence,” can accommodate up to 50 young players in a professional envir
onment that integrates education with football training — fostering both athletic and personal development.
“The goal is to provide young players with top-level training, education, and support so they can achieve their full potential and contribute to the growth of football in their country,” — Arsène Wenger
FIFA plans to establish 75 Talent Academies globally by 2027.
The launch ceremony drew top dignitaries, including Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh, Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed, FIFA Director of Global Football Development Steven Martens, FIFA Africa Regional Director Gelson Fernandes, and FDF President Souleiman Hassan Waberi.
Djibouti Joins FIFA Arena Project — Fifth African Nation to Benefit
In a related development, Djibouti has also become the fifth African country to benefit from the FIFA Arena Project, following Morocco, Niger, Liberia, and Algeria.
The newly inaugurated ultra-modern mini-pitch at the Palmeraie School in Djibouti City forms part of FIFA’s global initiative to install 1,000 mini-pitches worldwide by 2031, a commitment made by Infantino at the 2024 Sustainable Sport Summit in Paris.
The project aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting access to safe play spaces for children, particularly in underserved communities.
“This represents a historic step for Djiboutian and African football — creating opportunities for young boys and girls to grow through the game and dream of playing at the highest level,” — Gelson Fernandes, FIFA Deputy Director and Africa Regional Director
Both projects reflect FIFA’s and the FDF’s shared commitment to building a sustainable football future — one that nurtures young talent and expands opportunities across Africa.
