UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 12 MAY 2023
Birmingham City University (BCU) has teamed up with FIFA to launch a research project aimed at identifying and developing talent across the globe – just as football’s world governing body prepares to usher in a new era of World Cup expansion.
The goal is to help level the playing field across the planet - from Australia to Azerbaijan and from Botswana to Brazil – in both the men’s and women’s game.
Widely recognised for its ground-breaking talent development work in the sport of cricket, BCU has been asked to share its knowledge, expertise and resources after a FIFA report found that potential superstars were going undiscovered around the world.
“The need for greater global competitiveness in football is a priority for FIFA,” said Dr Adam Kelly, BCU's Senior Lecturer and Course Leader for Sports Coaching and Physical Education and an expert in talent identification and development.
“Born as a 12-team tournament in 1991, the Women’s World Cup Finals will feature 32 nations for the first time this year when it takes place in Australia and New Zealand. The Men’s World Cup Finals will also expand from 32 teams to 48 in 2026.
“FIFA, therefore, has a responsibility to ensure these competitions are even more spectacular than ever and feature finalists from as many FIFA confederations as possible.
“To achieve that, it is vital to help FIFA’s member associations create successful talent development pathways, so they continue to cultivate their national teams.”
Led by former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger, its Chief of Global Football Development, FIFA wants every talented player to be given the chance to be identified and developed.
Patricia Gonzalez, a Group Leader of FIFA's Talent Development Programme, said: "Based on FIFA’s analysis of the talent development ecosystem across 205 member associations, there are numerous areas to improve if we are to offer more opportunities for young players.
“The purpose of this project is to develop case studies and best practice from across the world in order to support member associations in their future planning and delivery.”
To assist FIFA, BCU is recruiting for two fully funded PhD studentships, each lasting three years and worth more than £18,000 per year.
Dr Kelly added: “It is a pleasure to be working alongside FIFA. These projects are truly exciting and will support the implementation of tools and resources so member associations can develop more effective and efficient talent development systems.”
BCU’s work will focus on two key areas:
- To help determine best practice from across the world in order to support FIFA’s member associations in their future planning and delivery;
- To evaluate FIFA’s member associations to ensure they are creating more appropriate settings and organisational structures for optimal talent development.
For more information and to apply for the two studentships, please click on the links below: