LALIGA and EA SPORTS™ have officially launched the second edition of the Next Gen Draft, an international program designed to identify and nurture young football talent while promoting community engagement through the core values of the sport. The 2026 edition will kick off in Nigeria on 30 January 2026 and will reach around 900 children worldwide, spanning Mexico, Japan, Nigeria, Morocco, and China, with the final phase taking place in Spain.
The initiative is part of EA SPORTS FC FUTURES, EA SPORTS™’ long-term global program that invests in grassroots and community football, combining competitive opportunities, professional training, and transformative experiences to bring the game closer to young people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
A Comprehensive Development Pathway for Young Talents
The 2026 Next Gen Draft is structured around a four-phase developmental journey that evaluates both football skills and personal growth, integrating professional methodology, sporting assessment, and an educational approach centered on values such as teamwork, perseverance, and commitment.
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FC Rush Tournament: Inspired by the EA SPORTS FC video game, registered participants will compete in 5v5 matches over two 7-minute halves. With over 80 matches in a single day, official LaLiga scouts from Spain will evaluate technical ability, vision, attitude, and overall performance to select 50 players (25 boys and 25 girls).
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FC FUTURES Academy Training: The 50 selected players will undergo personalized training sessions based on FC FUTURES best practices, delivered by UEFA PRO coaches using LaLiga’s official methodology. The top 32 players (16 boys and 16 girls) will progress to the next stage.
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Final Match: At this stage, the young talents will play a full 11-a-side match against a local team. The 4 best-performing boys and 4 girls will be chosen to represent their country in Spain. Selection criteria will include not only sporting ability but also psycho-emotional factors, highlighting the importance of values such as commitment and teamwork.
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LaLiga Experience in Spain (June–July): The finalists will travel to Spain, with all expenses covered, to join an international group of 40 young talents. During this immersive experience, participants will receive professional training sessions from UEFA PRO coaches, play friendly matches against youth teams from LaLiga EA SPORTS clubs, and take part in exclusive activities to experience elite European football firsthand.
Investing in Community Football
EA SPORTS FC FUTURES is committed to long-term development in grassroots football. Beyond supporting over 15 partner programs and donating equipment in more than 10 countries, the initiative offers a free online library of training drills that blend visual elements from EA SPORTS FC with expert coaching guidance.
The program also invests in the rehabilitation of football pitches in underserved areas to provide safe, accessible spaces for local youth. Previous refurbishments have taken place in cities including Málaga, Valencia, Cape Town, Singapore, São Paulo, Medellín, and Guadalajara, helping revitalize communities and expand access to the sport.
About LaLiga
LaLiga is the largest football ecosystem in the world, responsible for organizing professional football competitions in Spain through its two divisions, LaLiga EA SPORTS and LaLiga HYPERMOTION. It comprises 42 clubs and reaches over 258 million followers globally across 16 social media platforms in 20 languages.
The league carries out its social initiatives through Fundación LaLiga, including LALIGA GENUINE Move, the world’s first professional league for footballers with intellectual disabilities, demonstrating its commitment to social responsibility and inclusivity.
