LaLiga and EA SPORTS have introduced Next Gen Draft, a global initiative under the EA SPORTS FC FUTURES social impact program, designed to discover and nurture young football talent while promoting community engagement through football’s core values.
The program will begin with over 1,000 children from five countries across three continents, culminating in a training camp in Spain for 40 selected players.
“We’re very excited about this project,” said Jorge de la Vega, LaLiga’s Executive Director. “It allows us to reach thousands of children, train them, and help them enjoy football. EA SPORTS FC FUTURES is vital in shaping the football of tomorrow, today.”
James Salmon, Senior Director of Franchise Activation at EA SPORTS FC, highlighted the initiative’s impact: “We’ve worked on fantastic community projects with LaLiga and FC FUTURES, from pitch refurbishments to scholarships. Now, we’re excited to help discover and develop the next generation of football stars.”
The Next Gen Draft will take place in five cities: Rustenburg (South Africa, March 1-2), New York (USA, March 8-9), Dubai (UAE, March 27-28), Guatemala City (Guatemala, April 5-6), and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam, April 11-13). At each stop, 300 children will compete for a spot in the final 40-player selection for Spain.
The final 40 players will train under the LaLiga Academy methodology, play matches against youth teams from LaLiga clubs, and receive mentorship from industry experts.
This ground-breaking initiative combines real-world and digital football expertise, providing young players with a unique platform to showcase their talent and take their first steps toward a professional career.
