FIFA advances youth talent development in Paraguay and Burkina Faso

FIFA is advancing its Talent Development Scheme (TDS) through technical initiatives in Paraguay and Burkina Faso to enhance youth football development.

In Paraguay, Diogo Matos, the FIFA TDS leader, conducted a technical visit to the Asociación Paraguaya de Fútbol (APF). The visit focused on evaluating the APF's talent development system, including the High Performance Center for Formative Divisions (CARDIF), youth national teams, and the progressive growth of women's football. The collaboration aims to establish new goals and methodologies for the integral training of young players.

In Burkina Faso, the TDS program has moved to Ouagadougou to scout talent for future U15 national teams. This phase emphasizes strict age verification to ensure authenticity and prevent age discrepancies in competition. Experts are evaluating players based on technical skills, physical development, and game intelligence through progressive match formats, ranging from 7-on-7 to 11-on-11 games.