The FIFA TDS is led by former Arsenal head coach and FIFA Chief of Global Football Development, Arséne Wenger. FIFA TDS was launched in 2022 to help member associations fulfill their potential by ensuring that every talented player has a chance to be detected and developed. The programme enforces the measures taken to reduce the disparity in the level of football between different regions of the world. On Tuesday, the FIFA Talent Academy was launched in Nouakchott, Mauritania, in a bid to aid the development of players and the game in the country and the region. The FIFA Talent Academy Mauritania, a first on African soil, will develop the best players, to act as a role model for the Mauritania Federation, create a sustainable football ecosystem to establish a long-term, structured pathway for talent development, and foster social and personal growth.
Speaking at the launch, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said: "This is a great day for football in Mauritania, a country passionate about our beautiful game, which is making tremendous strides to grow and develop the sport each day. The opening of the FIFA Talent Academy in Mauritania is a hugely significant moment for young players in this country." The Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania president, Ahmed Yahya, said the opening of the FIFA Talent Academy reflects FIFA's confidence in Mauritania's commitment to the development of football. "This investment in training our young talents marks a decisive step towards a more ambitious future for our federation," said Yahya. The FIFA Talent Academy Mauritania will be equipped with FIFA-recruited and trained coaches who are working side-by-side with local staff and coaches to establish a high-quality training environment focused on developing the most talented players in the country.
