Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo announced the beginning of a new chapter for Mexican soccer with the presentation of the Mexican Football Federation’s (FMF) National Training Strategy, a model designed to ensure that children and young people have access to the sport and opportunities to develop from grassroots levels to high-performance competition.
During the “Las mañaneras del pueblo” press conference, the president highlighted the willingness of the FMF and First Division clubs to support efforts aimed at strengthening soccer development throughout the country by creating and consolidating spaces where new talent can be identified and nurtured.
FMF Commissioner Mikel Arriola Peñalosa explained that the strategy was developed in coordination with the National Commission for Physical Culture and Sport (Conade). The initiative includes a comprehensive development system for players beginning at five or six years of age, emphasizing discipline, values, and opportunities for athletic growth.
Key components of the strategy include strengthening school-based soccer programs, expanding federated competitions, improving talent identification processes, and integrating promising players into professional club academies. The program will also promote athletic and academic scholarships to help ensure that young athletes can continue their development regardless of financial circumstances.
The initiative will be supported by the FMF Certified Academy and the National Training System, which aim to establish consistent quality standards nationwide. Authorities also seek to take advantage of the momentum generated by the FIFA World Cup 2026 to create a lasting legacy that expands opportunities for future generations of Mexican soccer players.
