Vietnamese young footballers will soon have the opportunity to showcase their skills through the Next Gen Draft, an international talent development program launched by Spanish league LaLiga and EA Sports.
The project is part of EA Sports FC Futures, a social impact initiative aimed at identifying and nurturing young talent worldwide while promoting football’s core values within communities.
The program will begin with over 1,000 children across five countries on three continents. Eventually, 40 standout players will travel to Spain for a special training camp with LaLiga clubs.
“We’re very excited about this project. It allows us to reach thousands of children, train them, and help them enjoy football,” said LaLiga’s Executive Director, Jorge de la Vega.
James Salmon, Senior Director of Franchise Activation for EA Sports FC Futures, highlighted the significance of the initiative. “We’ve worked on fantastic community projects with LaLiga, from pitch refurbishments to scholarships. Now, we are excited to help discover and develop the next generation of football stars.”
Vietnam’s Selection Process
The Next Gen Draft will hold trials in Ho Chi Minh City’s Gia Dinh Stadium from April 11-13. Other selection events will take place in:
- Rustenburg, South Africa (March 1-2)
- New York, USA (March 8-9)
- Dubai, UAE (March 27-28)
- Guatemala City, Guatemala (April 5-6)
At each location, young players will compete in multiple rounds, with only eight finalists (four boys and four girls) earning a trip to Spain in early June.
A Unique Training Approach
Once in Spain, the selected players will train under UEFA Pro-licensed LaLiga coaches using the FC Futures Academy methodology. This approach integrates real in-game footage from FC 25 with expert coaching insights, blending digital and physical football training for an engaging experience.
The top 32 players (16 boys and 16 girls) will move on to play a match against a local team. From there, only four boys and four girls will be chosen for an exclusive training experience with LaLiga.
These elite young footballers will train using the LaLiga Academy methodology, play against youth teams from LaLiga clubs, and receive expert guidance to further develop their skills.
Long-Term Investment in Football Development
EA Sports FC Futures is committed to investing in grassroots football worldwide. The initiative funds partner programs, donates equipment, and offers free coaching resources through the FC Futures Academy.
Additionally, the program renovates football pitches in underprivileged areas, ensuring young players have access to safe and high-quality training spaces.
LaLiga, one of the world’s most influential football organizations, operates in 34 countries through 11 representative offices. With 247 million followers and content available in 20 languages, it remains one of the most widely followed leagues globally.
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