Talent Identification Foundation Course

Global - All member associations, Self-paced - Online, Certificate - Upon completion

Global - All member associations, 7- Chapters, Certificate Upon completion, Self-paced - Online

An introduction to the principles, frameworks, and shared language of talent identification in football. Designed to build awareness and understanding across every level of the game.

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Talent identification is a complex process that requires practitioners to look beyond current performance and consider future potential and long-term development. FIFA's Ecosystem Analysis, conducted across 200 Member Associations, identified significant gaps in talent identification strategies, selection criteria, and talent monitoring systems. This course provides a shared language, evidence-informed understanding, and practical framework to help practitioners identify and support talent in a fair, consistent, and development-focused way within their football environments.

The FIFA Talent Identification Foundation Course is a self-paced online programme developed by FIFA's Talent Development Scheme (TDS). Drawing on global research, expert insights, and findings from FIFA's Ecosystem Analysis, the course introduces a consistent framework for talent identification that can be applied across different football environments. Through two modules and seven chapters, learners will develop a strong understanding of the key principles and concepts underpinning effective talent identification. This is an awareness and understanding course designed to build foundational knowledge, with practical scouting application explored in subsequent course levels.

This course is designed for anyone who wants to build a stronger understanding of talent identification in football. No prior expertise is required, this is a foundational entry point for a wide range of roles across the football ecosystem.

Coaches & Academy Staff

Scouts & Recruiters

Technical Directors & Leaders

MA Administrators

Teachers & Educators

Parents & Guardians

Performance Analysts

Football Players

All with an interest in player development pathways

Upon completing this course, you will:

✔ Understand what talent identification is and why it is essential to long-term player development

✔ Apply a shared language and consistent framework for identifying and evaluating talent in your own context

✔ Recognize how environment, resources, and people influence how talent identification is designed and delivered

✔ Reflect critically on your organization’s current talent identification approach and identify areas for improvement

✔ Begin shaping a talent identification system that is fair, objective, consistent, context-aware, and aligned with long-term development goals

✔ Download a FIFA certificate of completion upon finishing the full course

Module 1: An Introduction to Talent Identification in Football

1. Talent Identification and Football Talent

Introduces what talent identification is and why it matters in football development. Explores the critical distinction between current performance and future potential, examines how football talent is defined through the functions, tasks, and intentions of the game, and presents the FIFA Holistic Player Profile as a framework for understanding the full picture of a player's development.

2. The Global Football Landscape

Draws on the FIFA Ecosystem Analysis, conducted across 200 Member Associations, to explore how talent identification is practiced around the world. Examines key challenges including the absence of strategy in many national systems, the impact of the Relative Age Effect, and the need for dedicated women-specific approaches to talent identification.

3. Talent Development

Explores the intrinsic connection between talent identification and talent development, and why both must work hand in hand. Covers the key stakeholders involved, from Member Associations and academies to clubs, schools, parents, and players, and examines the central role academies play in delivering consistent, long-term player development pathways.

4. The Role of the Scout

Examines what effective scouting looks like in practice. Covers the main methods of observation, live, video, data-informed, behavioral, and background scouting, alongside the qualities of a good observation, the six core areas of the Talent Scout Profile, and the structured Player Examination Process that guides consistent and objective evaluation.

Module 2: The FIFA Talent Identification Dimensions Model

1. Setting the Foundation for Talent Identification

Revisits the core principles of what makes a talent identification system truly effective. Explores why clarity of vision, structured processes, and alignment with long-term development goals are essential, and draws on real-world examples to illustrate how different organizations have built systems that fit their own unique context and resources.

2. The FIFA Talent Identification Dimensions Model Explained

Provides a practical breakdown of the model's five core dimensions, Philosophy, Profiles, Identification, Selection, and the two constants that run throughout: Plan, Do, Review and Talent Identification Education. Together, these elements form a flexible, adaptable framework that brings structure and shared language to talent identification across any football environment.

3. The Role of Environment, Resources, and People

Examines how the context an organization operates in shapes how talent identification is designed and delivered. Explores the four key contextual factors, population, resources, geography, and infrastructure, and introduces the Five Cs of an effective talent identification workforce: Clarity, Consistency, Capability, Collaboration, and Care.

A note on course design
This course draws on a substantial body of research, global data from 200 Member Associations, and the expertise of leading talent identification specialists. Given its online format and foundational level, it is intentionally designed to build awareness and conceptual understanding of talent identification not to train practical scouting skills. Think of it as the essential starting point for a longer learning journey.

Disclaimer
The FIFA Talent Identification Foundation Course is intended for educational purposes. The frameworks, models, and guidelines presented reflect FIFA's global research and best practice insights and are designed to be adapted to local contexts. They do not represent a mandatory or prescriptive approach. Member Associations, clubs, and individuals are encouraged to apply the principles in ways that are appropriate to their own environment, resources, and football reality. FIFA does not assume responsibility for outcomes resulting from the application of this course content in individual settings.

This course forms the entry point of a progressive talent identification education pathway. Each level builds on the last, deepening understanding and moving from awareness towards practical and integrated application.

Awareness & understanding of Talent ID principles and frameworks

Developing the role, mindset and core skills of the football talent scout (Under development, coming end of 2026)

Translating Talent ID principles & the Dimensions Model into practical philosophy, profiles, identification, selection and scouting processes (Under development, coming end of 2027)

System design, leadership and strategic Talent ID management (Under development, release date TBC)

Full ecosystem integration across clubs, MAs and federations (Under development, release date TBC)

This course is grounded in a broad evidence base, drawing on the FIFA Ecosystem Analysis (200 Member Associations), current research in talent identification and long-term athlete development, and expert practitioner knowledge from across the global football community. Key themes include the FIFA Talent Identification Dimensions Model, the Relative Age Effect, holistic player profiling, player examination process and the role of environment and culture in shaping talent pathways. Additional research references and FIFA Training Centre case studies will be made available as supplementary resources within the course platform.

Mirelle van Rijbroek - Talent ID Specialist & Talent ID Education Lead (Global)

Mirelle van Rijbroek is a football technical strategist specialising in talent identification, player development, scouting, and football education. Having worked with FIFA, U.S. Soccer, the KNVB, and professional clubs, she supports organisations in designing talent systems and development frameworks, with a particular focus on advancing talent identification within the women's game.

Richard Allen - Global Lead – Talent Identification

Richard Allen leads FIFA's global Talent Identification programme within the Talent Development Scheme. With leadership experience across The FA, Tottenham Hotspur, Queens Park Rangers, Loughborough University and Yokohama FC, he specialises in talent identification, player development, recruitment, and technical strategy, supporting FIFA Member Associations in developing sustainable talent pathways.

Laban Scott Libby - Talent Identification Specialist (Africa)

Laban Scott Libby has over 16 years of experience in scouting, recruitment, talent identification, and player development. Before joining FIFA in 2024, he worked across five elite clubs in four European countries and now supports African Member Associations in developing talent identification strategies and long-term player development systems.

Stephen Morrow - Talent Identification Specialist (Africa/Europe)

Steve Morrow is a FIFA Talent Identification Specialist with extensive experience across elite club and international football. A former international player, he has held senior talent identification and academy roles at Arsenal and was Head of Player Selection for all England national teams before joining FIFA in 2024.

Guido Luis Bravo Monteverde - Talent Identification Specialist (Americas)

Guido Bravo Monteverde is a FIFA Talent Identification Specialist with more than 15 years of experience in scouting, recruitment, and sporting management. He supports FIFA Member Associations across the Americas by developing talent identification strategies, implementing Talent Development Scheme projects, and delivering education programmes for coaches and technical staff.

Dr. Juan Luis Delgado - Talent Identification Specialist (Americas)

Dr. Juan Luis Delgado Bordonau is a FIFA Talent Identification Specialist supporting education and talent development across the Americas. With over 25 years of international experience spanning Spain, Qatar, and the United States, he combines elite academy leadership, technical expertise, and academic research to support player development and talent identification.

The course above is housed on the Learning Hub, a part of the FIFA Training Centre designed for interactive e-learning. Getting access to the Learning Hub requires signing up, which only takes a moment. Follow these quick steps in the video below.

Talent Identification Foundation Course

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