A momentous occasion unfolded on Tuesday February 25th as FIFA officially launched the Mauritania Talent Academy, marking a significant milestone in African football development.
The event, held at the Fédération de Football de la République Islamique de Mauritanie (FFRIM) headquarters, celebrated the academy’s progress and its status as the first of its kind in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) region.
The academy, a cornerstone of FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme (TDS), spearheaded by FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger, aims to level the global football playing field by identifying and nurturing young talent.
Launched in 2022, the TDS has already benefited 200 FIFA member associations, with a substantial USD 200 million funding allocation for the 2023-2026 operational cycle.
“This is a great day for football in Mauritania,” declared FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “The opening of the FIFA Talent Academy is a hugely significant moment for young players in this country, a country passionate about our beautiful game.”
The Mauritania Talent Academy embodies the TDS’s core principles: identifying talent, providing high-quality training, and offering opportunities for competitive play.
FIFA-recruited and trained coaches will work alongside local staff, ensuring a safe and holistic development environment that prioritizes safeguarding and education.
“Today is a historic moment for Mauritanian football,” said FFRIM President Ahmed Yahya. “This FIFA Talent Academy reflects FIFA’s confidence in our commitment to development. This investment in our young talents marks a decisive step towards a more ambitious future.”
Arsène Wenger emphasized the academy’s long-term vision. “The ultimate objectives of FIFA Talent Academies are to develop young players by providing them with the highest levels of training, education, and development to help them reach their full potential, contributing to the overall growth of football in the country,” he stated.
Oumar Ndiaye, Director of the FFRIM Academy, highlighted the significance of the certification.
“This February 25 marks a decisive turning point for Mauritanian football, especially for our youth. With this FIFA certification, we are taking another step forward in developing our talents and strengthening our training programs,” he said.
Steven Martens, FIFA Director of Global Football Development, praised Mauritania’s progress.
“This first milestone event of a FIFA Talent Academy in Africa is a major breakthrough for African football,” he said.
Jemal Sevir, Executive Director of FFRIM, acknowledged the recognition of their efforts. “Receiving this FIFA certification is a great recognition of all the work FFRIM has done,” he said.
Adding to the day’s celebrations, FIFA announced the launch of an expansion project at Stade Cheikha Boidiya, funded by the FIFA Forward program.
The project, with a budget of nearly USD 2.9 million, will increase the stadium’s capacity to 16,000 seats, accommodating the growing number of football fans in Mauritania.
FIFA Forward, the world’s largest sports development program, aims to redistribute FIFA’s revenues equally among its 211 member associations. The program focuses on infrastructure, capacity building, competitions, national teams, and other specific projects.
“We hope this stadium will become a source of inspiration for boys and girls from the FIFA Talent Academy who could one day wear proudly the national team jersey,” said President Infantino. “This project is a crucial step in improving football infrastructure and fostering the sport’s continued development in Mauritania.”
Gelson Fernandes, FIFA Deputy Chief Member Associations Officer and Regional Director for Africa, echoed this sentiment.
“Today marks a milestone in the journey of Mauritanian football,” he said. “Thanks to the FIFA Forward program, we have officially launched the renovation of the Cheikha Boidiya Stadium, expanding its capacity to 16,000 seats. This key infrastructure project is a testament to FIFA’s commitment to the growth and development of football in Mauritania.”
