Will Antoine Griezmann make it to the 2026 World Cup with France? We analyze statistics, current events, and his role with Les Bleus on their way to the most important tournament on the planet.
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WHICH ACADEMIES WILL BE PROMOTED DURING THE 2026 WORLD CUP?
The 2026 World Cup will not only be a celebration of football, but also a historic opportunity to shape the future of the sport. Mexico, the United States, and Canada, the three host countries, are leveraging the tournament's momentum to develop academies, high-performance centers, and youth programs that will train the next generation of stars. With multimillion-dollar investments, partnerships with European clubs, and community projects, the World Cup's legacy will extend far beyond the stadiums: it will be present on the training pitches where children who could shine on the World Cup stage tomorrow are playing today. Here's what academies will be launched, how they will operate, and what impact they will have on world football.
The boom of North American academies
The 2026 World Cup will mark a turning point in the development of football in North America. With three host countries, FIFA and local federations have announced an investment plan to strengthen youth academies and create a training network that encompasses everything from neighborhood schools to elite centers.
United States: the new talent factory
Football in the United States is experiencing a golden age. With the expansion of MLS and the arrival of figures like Lionel Messi, youth interest has skyrocketed. For the 2026 World Cup, the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) plans to open at least 15 new regional academies under its “Next Generation Soccer” program. Each academy will feature top-tier infrastructure and coaches certified by UEFA and CONMEBOL. It is expected to develop more than 50,000 young players between 2024 and 2028. Clubs such as LA Galaxy, FC Dallas, and Philadelphia Union will expand their development centers. There will be special programs to promote women's and mixed-gender soccer. According to USSF data, 70% Many of the players on the current US national team come from MLS academies. With the World Cup on home soil, the goal is to consolidate a sustainable model of local talent that can compete with the best youth academies in Europe.
Mexico: Tradition and Modernization
Mexico, with its football history and three World Cups hosted (1970, 1986, and now 2026), is driving a renaissance in youth development. The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) launched the “Talento Tricolor” program, which aims to strengthen existing academies and open new locations in regions where football has had less of a presence. More than 20 new academies in states such as Oaxaca, Chiapas, Sinaloa, and Baja California. Collaborations with European clubs like Ajax and Borussia Dortmund to share methodologies. Use of artificial intelligence to monitor the physical and technical performance of young players. Co-ed schools with a focus on inclusion and social development. The goal is to develop more well-rounded players with a modern tactical and mental approach. “We want to produce the next Hugo Sánchez or the next Chucky Lozano, but with a European mentality,” declared Mikel Arriola, president of Liga MX. Furthermore, several franchises such as Tigres, Chivas, and América will expand their international academies, including in the United States and Central America.
Canada and the Quiet Growth of the North
If there's one country that will take advantage of the 2026 World Cup to consolidate its football project, it's Canada. After qualifying for Qatar 2022 and showcasing modern football, the country now aims to build a network of academies to feed both its national league (Canadian Premier League) and the national team.
Academies Driven by the Canadian Soccer Association
The Canadian plan, dubbed “Project Maple,” aims to open 12 national academies in collaboration with universities and local clubs. These institutions will focus not only on athletic performance, but also on the educational and personal development of the players. Each academy will offer full scholarships for emerging talent. Indoor fields will be used for winter training, ensuring continuity. The focus will include physical, psychological, and nutritional development. Partnerships with MLS clubs such as Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps. The goal is to have at least 100 Canadian players training in professional programs before the tournament. In addition, the Canadian government plans to allocate a portion of the World Cup revenue to sports scholarships and women's development, aiming to promote equal opportunities in soccer. Beyond the elite, Canada is using the World Cup to promote inclusion through sport. Programs like "Soccer for All" will seek to integrate migrant communities and Indigenous peoples into the soccer ecosystem, offering free academies and sports clinics. “The World Cup shouldn’t just leave stadiums, it should leave opportunities,” said Charmaine Crooks, president of the Canadian federation. This community-based approach is key: it is estimated that more than 250,000 young people will participate in school and municipal soccer-related programs by 2026.
The Legacy of Development and International Projection
The impact of the 2026 World Cup on academies will not stop when the tournament ends. FIFA, together with the host federations, has designed a long-term plan to maintain investment in training and expand scouting programs throughout North America.
A Continental Talent Network
One of the most ambitious projects will be the creation of a “Pan-American FIFA Academy Network,” which will connect training centers from Canada to Panama. This network will share resources, training technology, and youth talent assessments in a unified database. More than 60 academies in North and Central America will be digitally connected. Outstanding players will be eligible for scholarships to train at clubs in Europe. There will be regional U-15 and U-17 tournaments as part of the scouting program. FIFA will invest more than $150 million in youth development infrastructure post-2026. This approach aims to transform North America into a sustained football powerhouse, not only as a tournament organizer but also as a producer of international talent. And with the globalization of soccer, scouts from all over the world already have their eyes on the new North American generations. The 2026 World Cup will also serve as a development engine for women's academies. Both the FMF (Mexican Football Federation), the USSF (United States Soccer Federation), and the CSA (Confederation of American Soccer Associations) will allocate part of their funds to strengthen women's leagues and academies. The goal: to have more professional players in future Women's World Cups. The creation of at least 25 regional women's academies with high-performance programs, certified coaches, and full scholarships is planned. This momentum could inspire a new generation of footballers to follow in the footsteps of figures like Alex Morgan, Kadeisha Buchanan, or Charlyn Corral. In conclusion, the 2026 World Cup will not only be a spectacle of goals and emotions, but also a sowing of seeds for the future. The academies that are launched during this tournament will transform the history of football in North America, developing players, coaches, and dreamers. Because in the end, every World Cup leaves something greater than a champion: it leaves hope, talent, and a new generation ready to shine.
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