Djibouti, 9 November 2025 — Djibouti will inaugurate its first FIFA Talent Academy on November 13, alongside a new mini-field FIFA Arena in the capital, marking a major milestone in the country’s football development, the Djibouti News Agency (ADI) reported today.
The FIFA Talent Academy is part of the global Talent Development Scheme (TDS), led by Arsène Wenger, FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development. The initiative aims to provide talented boys and girls with equal opportunities to progress while raising the global standard of football.
According to ADI, Djibouti becomes one of 40 countries—and one of the first in Africa—to join the program.
In a message to the Djibouti Football Federation, FIFA President Gianni Infantino congratulated the nation, calling the academy “a unique centre of excellence in East Africa.”
The Academy can accommodate around 50 young players and combines sports training with education to create a sustainable football ecosystem. It also supports 15 local coaches under FIFA’s Talent Coach Program.
FIFA plans to establish 75 Talent Academies worldwide by 2027, with Djibouti following Mauritania as the second African country to open one.
In addition, FIFA will inaugurate a mini-field FIFA Arena at the Palmeraie School in Djibouti City. The project is part of a global initiative to install 1,000 mini-pitches by 2031, promoting safe play and social inclusion for children.
FIFA’s Deputy Director for Member Associations and Regional Director for Africa, Gelson Fernandes, described the new developments as “a historic milestone for Djibouti and African football,” noting that they will offer “new opportunities for young girls and boys to thrive and reach elite levels.”
