Central American football federations launch youth talent initiatives

Football federations in Honduras and Costa Rica are implementing new initiatives to identify and develop youth talent.

The Honduran Football Federation (FFH) has officially introduced Spanish scout Daniel Cancela. His role is to identify and evaluate Honduran players both domestically and abroad to expand the pool of eligible talent for various national team categories. FFH sports director Francis Hernández stated that the project aims to professionalize talent identification and is a long-term commitment to developing new generations in collaboration with FIFA.

In Costa Rica, the Costa Rican Football Federation (FCRF) has launched the second edition of ‘Ruta de Talento’. Supported by the FIFA Talent Academy, the program conducts regional trials to find U-15 players outside of elite academies. The initiative seeks to promote equity by visiting various communities across the country to provide training clinics and scouting opportunities for both male and female players.