LaLiga EA Sports, in partnership with Legacy Sports and the Nationwide League One (NLO), has unveiled the FC Futures Next Gen Draft project in Nigeria, a strategic initiative aimed at grassroots football development and youth empowerment.

 

The programme was officially announced during a media briefing held on Friday, January 30, at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium, Onikan, Lagos. Nigeria will serve as the launchpad for the global project, which is expected to later extend to Mexico, Japan, Morocco and China, before culminating in a final phase in Spain.

 

Speaking at the event, LaLiga Next Gen Draft Football Project Coordinator, Carlos Casal, said Nigeria was deliberately chosen as the starting point because of its youthful population and vast pool of untapped football talent.

 

“Nigeria boasts a substantial population with a significant proportion of young individuals, indicating an abundance of untapped talent. This makes Nigeria the ideal place to provide opportunities for more aspiring athletes,” Casal said.

 

He stressed that the FC Futures initiative was conceived as a long-term developmental project rather than a one-off event, adding that participation would be completely free.

 

“Our mission transcends finding the next Messi or Ronaldo. We aim to bring football to the community and empower the players. Nigeria was a top choice for us, and we fully intend to expand our efforts to more countries across Africa in the future. If this project continues to thrive, we will undoubtedly return to Nigeria,” he added.

 

Also speaking, the Chief Operating Officer of the Nationwide League One, Dr. Olushola Ogunnowo, acknowledged the critical role played by LaLiga EA Sports and EA SPORTS in selecting Nigeria as the first host of the 2026 Next Gen Draft.

 

“We are excited to be partners with LaLiga EA Sports and Legacy Sports as the FC Futures Next Gen Draft 2026 kicks off in Nigeria,” Ogunnowo said.

 

“The NLO stands as the premier grassroots player hub in Africa, boasting over 500 clubs and academies spread across Nigeria, and serves as the leading platform for emerging football talents aiming for Europe. It’s a well-documented fact that many players on the Super Eagles squad have risen through the ranks of the NLO.”

 

He explained that the U-15 programme would feature 24 teams, comprising 12 male and 12 female sides, with the male teams drawn from Nationwide League One clubs.

 

“At the end of the programme, eight outstanding players — four from each gender — will make the draft. I’m assuring LaLiga EA Sports that they will be astounded by the rich diversity of football talent Nigeria has to offer,” he said.

 

Under the programme structure, official LaLiga EA Sports scouts will evaluate players based on technical ability, vision, attitude and overall performance. From the initial assessment, 50 players — 25 girls and 25 boys — will advance to the next stage.

 

The second phase, the FC Futures Academy Training, will see the selected players receive specialised coaching from UEFA Pro-licensed coaches affiliated with LaLiga, using the organisation’s official training methodology.

 

After this phase, 32 players — 16 girls and 16 boys — will progress to the final stage, which will involve a full 11-a-side match against a local team, giving the young talents the opportunity to showcase their skills in a competitive setting.

 

The initiative is expected to further strengthen Nigeria’s reputation as a major breeding ground for football talent while providing young players with a structured pathway to global opportunities.