“FIFA Academy” inaugurated, an important project for Kosovo football

The inauguration ceremony of “FIFA Academy” was held on Tuesday at the national camp of the Football Federation of Kosovo in Hajvali.

The inauguration of “FIFA Academy” was considered an important moment for Kosovo football. It is the first academy of its kind in the region, the third in Europe and one of only 15 academies established by FIFA worldwide.

The aim of “FIFA Academy” is to offer young players the highest level of training, education and development, so that they can reach their full potential as athletes and contribute to the overall development of football in the country.

It is one of four FIFA talent academies currently active within UEFA, standing out among the 58 FIFA talent academies already operating globally.
FFK President Agim Ademi described the inauguration of “FIFA Academy” as a very special moment.

“It is a special day for Kosovo. Today, ‘FIFA Academy’ is being inaugurated in Kosovo, and it will produce footballers—men and women—from this country, one of whom will one day wear the Kosovo national team jersey. It is a special day because ‘FIFA Academy’ belongs to Kosovo; it is the first in the region, the first in the Balkans, the third in Europe, and the 15th in the world among the 211 federations that FIFA has. Therefore, FIFA’s confidence in us, which has enabled us to create conditions for our talents, is very important,” Ademi said.

Meanwhile, acting Minister of Sport and Youth Blerim Gashani said that this academy represents an important step in the development of football and talent in Kosovo.

“It is a pleasure to be here with you at an event that marks an important moment for football and sport in Kosovo, the inauguration of ‘FIFA Talent Academy Kosova’. This academy is a step forward in the development of football and represents an investment in the potential of our young people, in the professionalism of sport, and in creating opportunities for Kosovo’s talents to develop according to the highest international standards,” Gashani said.

FIFA’s regional technical consultant, Tomas Danilevicius, explained why “FIFA Academy” is important.

“In 2020, FIFA conducted a major analysis, in which 205 of the 211 member associations took part. Following this analysis, and based on the key findings and recommendations, FIFA decided to launch a programme because it became clear that talents around the world were not being given enough opportunities. Every talent needs an opportunity to play football. And in 2023, at the FIFA Congress, this programme was presented, which we now know as the ‘Talent Development Scheme’. And I remember that in 2024, when Kosovo took part in the first projects under this scheme, the Football Federation of Kosovo was very active in this area,” Danilevicius said.

The FIFA Talent Academy in Pristina has been fully operational since the beginning of 2026.