By Andrew Abah
The Nationwide League One (NLO), in collaboration with Legacy Sports, LaLiga, and EA Next Gen, is set to transform youth football with an unprecedented U14 tournament scheduled for Lagos in January 2026.
This landmark event will feature 24 teams—12 male and 12 female teams. On the final day, selected teams will face one local male team and one local female team, marking the culmination of the competition. From these final matches, four male players and four female players will be selected, representing a significant milestone in the LALIGA EA SPORTS PROJECT supported by Legacy Sports and NLO in Nigeria.
Taking place at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium in Onikan from January 30th to February 1st, 2026, this initiative will not only identify and cultivate young talent but also foster community engagement through the core values of football. The tournament will directly impact around 900 children worldwide, with events held in Mexico, Japan, Nigeria, Morocco, and China, culminating in a final phase in Spain.
This initiative is a vital part of EA SPORTS FC FUTURES, EA SPORTS™’ commitment to elevating community football globally.
On January 7, 2026, LALIGA and EA SPORTS™ are launching the global press release of the new edition of the Next Gen Draft, a pioneering international program designed to blend competition, training, and transformative experiences, bringing football closer to youth from various cultures and backgrounds.
The 2026 edition firmly reinforces the dedication of both organizations to create tangible opportunities for the next generation, expanding their global reach and solidifying this initiative as a cornerstone of EA SPORTS FC FUTURES.
In its second iteration, Next Gen Draft will be meticulously structured around a developmental journey that combines professional methodology, sporting assessments, and an educational focus on core values.
The LALIGA FC FUTURES Next Gen Draft includes four phases aimed at rigorously evaluating and enhancing both the football abilities and personal values of the participants:
FC Rush Tournament, it builds inspiration from the EA SPORTS FC video game, players will compete in high-paced 5v5 matches, each featuring two 7-minute halves. With over 80 matches taking place in a single day, official LALIGA coaches from Spain will assess technical skills, vision, attitude, and overall performance to select 50 players (25 girls and 25 boys).
FC FUTURES Academy Training- The 50 chosen players will receive tailored training rooted in FC FUTURES’ best practices, led by UEFA PRO coaches using LALIGA’s official methodology. The top 32 players (16 girls and 16 boys) will advance to the next stage.
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In the Final Match, young talents will compete in a full 11-a-side match against a local team. Post-match, the 4 standout players from each gender will be selected to enjoy a unique LALIGA experience in Spain. Selection will consider both sporting performance and psycho-emotional attributes, emphasizing values like commitment, teamwork, and perseverance.
The LALIGA Experience in Spain (June–July) is the final phase, finalists will travel to Spain, with all expenses covered, to join an elite group of 40 young talents (8 from each stage). This experience includes professional training sessions with UEFA PRO coaches from LALIGA, friendly matches against youth teams from La Liga EA SPORTS clubs, and exclusive visits to immerse them in elite European football culture.
