A significant milestone for FIFA, celebrating Bahrain’s ongoing commitment to nurturing young football talent. Arsène Wenger, FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, attended a ceremony marking Bahrain’s achievements under the FIFA Talent Development Scheme.
FIFA’s goal, outlined in their Strategic Objectives for Global Football, is to have 75 top-tier FIFA Talent Academies by the end of 2027.
A key event took place in the Bahraini capital, Manama, to celebrate the growth of Bahrain’s FIFA Talent Academy, which has flourished under FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme (TDS).
The ceremony, attended by His Excellency Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Football Association, and Arsène Wenger, marked a significant achievement for FIFA and honoured Bahrain’s proud history of supporting young talent.

Since the launch of the TDS in February 2022, over 200 FIFA Member Associations have benefited from the scheme, designed to help them reach their full potential by giving every talented player the chance to be identified and developed. The aim of the TDS is to improve national-team football worldwide, for both men and women, by creating a lasting legacy of talent development and providing more opportunities for each member association.
One of the key goals of the TDS, led by Arsène Wenger, is to establish 75 elite FIFA Talent Academies by the end of 2027, as part of FIFA’s Strategic Objectives for 2023-2027. To achieve this, FIFA is sending dedicated talent coaches across the globe to create academies with the best training environments for young players of all genders.

The event in Bahrain marked the first celebration of one of the 20+ operational FIFA Talent Academies, with many more expected in 2025.
“Bahrain has been a leader in the FIFA Talent Development Scheme, and I want to thank you for your support,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a video message. “We also understand that football has an important role beyond the pitch. The FIFA Talent Academies aim to develop well-rounded individuals, teaching values like discipline, teamwork, and leadership in a safe environment. This will ensure players not only succeed on the field but also grow into responsible, contributing members of society.”
Each FIFA Talent Academy must prioritise safeguarding and education as core elements, ensuring a safe environment that promotes the well-being and overall development of players.
“The main goal of FIFA Talent Academies is to develop young players by offering top-level training, education, and support to help them reach their full potential, contributing to the overall growth of football in the country,” said Arsène Wenger, FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development.
FIFA also aims to build a sustainable football ecosystem and create a long-term, structured pathway for talent development, integrating football with education and providing the necessary resources, infrastructure, and coaching to improve the sport in each member association.
