| Full name | AIFF-FIFA Talent Academy |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2013; 12 years ago (2013) (as AIFF Elite Academy) 2023; 2 years ago (2023) (re-established as AIFF-FIFA Talent Academy) |
| Dissolved | 2017; 8 years ago (2017) (merged intoIndian Arrows) |
| Ground | Chowgule Sports Centre,Goa |
| League | Elite Youth League |
TheAIFF Academy is the elite academy of the regionalAIFF affiliatedfootball academies.
Founded on 1 February 2013, theAIFF Elite Academy started as a youth development project between the AIFF andFIFA.[1] The Elite Academy is the final frontier for players who train at the AIFF regional academies in various parts ofIndia. It was re-established as theAIFF-FIFA Talent Academy in 2023.[2]
In September 2011, it was announced that both All India Football Federation and FIFA would work together to set up various regional academies and one elite academy in India with the goal of developing youth footballers in the country.[3] The first phase was starting of regional academies inBangalore,Kolkata,Mumbai,Delhi andSikkim.[3] The second phase sawChennai,Chandigarh, andKerala getting academies by March 2013. Each academy consisted of 30-35 under-14 players who would eventually develop to the further youth stages.[3]
Bangalore, Kolkata, and Delhi regional academies delayed while the Mumbai Academy was started with futureIndia U23 coach,Arthur Papas.[4] The reason given for the delay was due to the rampant age-cheating during trials for the regional academies. Of the 120 players selected after playing in theSubroto Cup and other youth competitions, 84 were found to be over-aged and not even acceptable for the under-16 category.[4]
Eventually, the AIFF Elite Academy was launched in 2013.[1] It was gradually integrated in theIndian Arrows.
In 2023, AIFF in association with FIFA decided to set up an academy under the FIFA Talent Development Scheme. The academy was inaugurated byArsene Wenger, the Chief of Global Football Development in FIFA.[2] The academy was set up at Odisha Football Academy inBhubaneswar, Odisha.[5]
In 2025, the second FIFA Talent Academy, which also includes the first academy for girls', was opened atHyderabad. The academy will be located atGachibowli Stadium.[6]
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