NEXTGEN Foundation has officially launched the NEXTGEN Africa Team and opened applications for the new cycle. The initiative is designed to identify outstanding young African players and create a structured pathway built around development, competition, evaluation and progression toward Europe.
The NEXTGEN Africa Team connects scouting across Africa with preparation in Guinea, tournaments and scout showcases, followed by European hosting and trials through NEXTGEN Academy and 433 Football Academy. The programme sits under the foundation philosophy: Create a Future. Give a Future.
What the initiative is designed to do
- Identify outstanding young talent across Africa through scouting and partner networks
- Select 25 elite players to represent the NEXTGEN Africa Team
- Create a structured development and evaluation process rather than a one off trial model
- Use preparation, tournaments and scout presence to build credible football evidence
- Create a pathway toward Europe hosting and trials through NEXTGEN Academy and 433
Launch pathway
- Phase 1: Scouting across Africa to identify 25 elite talents through academies, clubs, tournaments and the NEXTGEN network
- Phase 2: Preparation camp in Conakry, Guinea from 1 to 7 November 2026, focused on football development, fitness, tactics and life skills
- Phase 3: Tournaments from February to May 2027, where scouts from the international network can watch and evaluate the players
- Phase 4: European club trials from May 2027 onwards, with selected players hosted and supported in Europe by NEXTGEN Academy and 433 while attending trials and evaluations with professional clubs
Player profile and eligibility
The final launch material states that 25 elite players will be selected to represent the NEXTGEN Africa Team. Applications are open by invitation for players born in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. Final selection still depends on football evidence, safeguarding, conduct, coachability and overall programme fit.
Guinea preparation partners
Selected NEXTGEN Africa Team players will attend a preparation camp at SOAR Academy in Conakry from 1 to 7 November 2026. Mariador Hotels is the main accommodation sponsor, helping provide the housing and practical support needed for this stage of the programme.
Cost and payment notice
The launch notice makes the current cost position clear. The only cost to the player, club, academy, scout, advisor or sponsor is transportation to and from Conakry, Guinea for the preparation camp, and transportation to and from the tournaments. All other programme costs are covered.
A wider African network
The launch also reflects a growing African network of countries, clubs, academies and football relationships. The NEXTGEN Africa Team is not a one event project. It sits inside a longer term route built around development, exposure, opportunity and protection.
Applications are now open
Players, families, clubs, academies, scouts, advisors and sponsors can now use the NEXTGEN application route and WhatsApp contact process to request information and begin the application process for the NEXTGEN Africa Team.