1959_FIFA Talent Development Plan - 2026 Application Window

Circular no.1959 Zurich,5 February2026 FIFA Talent Development Scheme–2026 application windows Dear Sir or Madam, FIFA is pleased to announce that applications for the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS)are now open for 2026. Each Member Association is invited to apply to take part in the TDS operational lifecycle for the 2023-2026 period To provide every Member Association with additional resources and a structure in the field oftalent development, the TDS offers a suite of services based on the following four key pillars: •Expertise:bespoke guidance delivered by leading specialists to help each MemberAssociation devise and implement a tailored, long-term talent development plan •FIFA Talent Coach:a FIFA Talent Coach working collaboratively with the MemberAssociation to establish a FIFA Talent Academy•Learningandexchange: on-site and online workshops, facilitated by FIFA specialists,toeducate and inspire Member Associations to address common challenges and sharebest practice•TDS projects: dedicated resources to support the implementation of the above activities Eligibility and application process To apply to participate in the TDS operational lifecycle 2023-2026, each Member Associationmust submit an annual request through the dedicated TDS application process on the FIFA The processwill include: •confirming that the Member Association has an appropriate technical department in •submitting arevised strategic long-term development plan with key targets andconcrete actions linked to the Member Association’s strategic objectives; •agreeing to fully comply with the TDS regulations; and •completing the application form via the FIFA Forward Platform, including the declaration Thereare three windows in 2026 in which to submit applications for the current TDS operationallifecycle, which will close on31March, 31 Mayand31August2026, respectively. Funding A base fund of USD50,000 will be granted, in principle, to every Member Association thatparticipatesin the TDS operational lifecycle and that complies with the criteria and Member Associations may also apply for additional funding opportunities through TDS projectsand the FIFA Talent CoachProgramme. A dedicated team of TDS leads will support every FIFA Forward Platform If your nominated TDS contact person–who is authorised to submit TDS applications on theFIFA Forward Platform–has changed, please email the new TDS contact person’s details(including their name, role and email address) to Luis Miguel Del Risco, TDS Junior Operations We will then send the newly nominated TDS contact person an email with the link to the FIFAForward Platform, and related instructions on how to complete and submit the TDS application. If you have any questions,please do not hesitate to contact Luis Miguel Del Risco,TDS Junior Yours faithfully, Mattias GrafströmSecretary General Encl.:FIFA Talent Development Scheme Regulations cc:-FIFA Council-Confederations REGULATIONS FIFA Talent DevelopmentScheme OPERATIONAL LIFECYCLE 2023-2026 Fédération Internationale de Football AssociationPresident:Secretary General: P.O. Box8044 ZurichSwitzerland+41 (0)43 222 7777FIFA.com Telephone:Website: FIFA TALENT OPERATIONAL LIFECYCLE 2023-2026 TABLE OF CONTENTS DEFINITIONS I.GENERALRULES 1.Concept and objectives2.Scope of application II.TDSOPERATIONALLIFECYCLE 4.TDSoperationallifecycle5.Criteriaandrequirementstoparticipate III.PRINCIPLESOFFUNDINGANDPROCESSOFAPPROVAL 6.Principlesoffunding7.GlobalFootballDevelopmentPanel IV.OBLIGATIONSOFMEMBERASSOCIATIONS 10.Obligations of member associations | Financial reporting |Statutory audit report | FIFA central audit review | V.FINALPROVISIONS 11. Mattersnotprovidedfor21 12. Authoritativeversion21 13. Operationalmanagement21 DEFINITIONS For the purpose of these Regulations, the terms set out in the FIFA Statutes, as wellasthefollowingdefinitions(initialcapitals),shallapply: ESA:global ecosystem analysis carried out by FIFA in coordination with the FIFAForward3.0:FIFA Forward Development Programme 2023-2026. FIFAtalentcoaches:team of FIFA-trained international coaches, responsiblefor supporting member associations with the development of their most talented FIFATrainingCentre:online digital platform providing educational resourcesfor coaches and technical leaders to support global football development. FIFAhigh-performancespecialists:teamofinternationalexpertsinthefieldof global football development, responsible for supporting member associations GlobalFootballDevelopmentPanel:a panel within the FIFA administrationthat evaluates and approves allocations of funding under the TDS. LTDP:long-term development plan. Regulations:these Talent Development Scheme Regulations. TDS:Talent Development Scheme. TDSoperationallifecycle:programme development phase, approved by theFIFA Council on 16 December 2022, for the 2023-2026 period. NB:Terms referring to natural persons are applic