Image Credit: laliga.com
LaLiga and EA SPORTS are strengthening their commitment to grassroots football by launching the second edition of the “Next Gen Drafts” program, a global talent identification initiative designed to discover, train, and empower the next generation of footballers. As part of the 2026 edition, Morocco will host the program from March 27 to March 29, confirming the country’s growing role within the international football ecosystem.
The initiative forms part of EA SPORTS FC FUTURES, a long-term global project focused on investing in community and youth football worldwide. By combining competition, professional training, and cultural exchange, LaLiga and EA SPORTS aim to create real development opportunities for young players from diverse backgrounds.
Morocco at the Heart of a Global Talent Detection Program
The 2026 edition of “Next Gen Drafts” will take place across Mexico, Japan, Nigeria, Morocco, and China, before concluding in Spain. Nearly 900 young players, boys and girls, will participate worldwide. The Moroccan stage highlights the country’s rapidly expanding grassroots football structure and its increasing importance as a talent hub in Africa.
The program reflects a shared vision between LaLiga and EA SPORTS to bring elite football development closer to young communities, while promoting values such as teamwork, discipline, perseverance, and fair play.
A Four-Phase Program Designed to Identify and Nurture Talent
The LaLiga FC FUTURES development pathway is structured into four key phases that evaluate both football skills and personal values:
1. FC Rush Tournament
Inspired by the EA SPORTS FC video game, registered players compete in fast-paced 5-a-side matches, played in two seven-minute halves. With more than 80 matches in a single day, official LaLiga scouts from Spain assess technical ability, game intelligence, sportsmanship, and overall performance. A total of 50 players (25 girls and 25 boys) are selected.
2. FC FUTURES Academy Training
The selected players receive specialized training sessions delivered by UEFA PRO-licensed LaLiga coaches, following LaLiga’s official methodology. At the end of this phase, 32 players (16 girls and 16 boys) advance to the next stage.
3. Final Match Selection
Players take part in a full 11-a-side match against a local team. Selection goes beyond technical performance, incorporating psychological and emotional criteria such as leadership, commitment, teamwork, and resilience. The top 4 girls and top 4 boys earn qualification for the final international experience.
4. LaLiga Experience in Spain
Between June and July, the selected players travel to Spain, with all expenses covered, to join an international group of 40 elite young talents. The experience includes professional training sessions with LaLiga coaches, friendly matches against LaLiga EA SPORTS youth teams, and exclusive cultural and football-related activities that immerse players in Europe’s elite football environment.
EA SPORTS FC FUTURES: Building Football Communities Worldwide
EA SPORTS FC FUTURES is a global initiative aimed at strengthening community football through long-term investment. The program supports more than 15 partner initiatives, donates equipment across multiple countries, and offers a free digital training library accessible to grassroots coaches worldwide.
The initiative also focuses on renovating football pitches in underserved communities, providing safe and inclusive spaces for young people. Renovation projects have already been completed in cities such as Malaga, Valencia, Cape Town, Singapore, São Paulo, Medellín, and Guadalajara, reinforcing football’s role as a tool for social development.
By hosting “Next Gen Drafts,” Morocco further strengthens its position as a key player in African and global football development, while offering young talents a unique pathway toward professional opportunities and international exposure.
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