The FIFA Talent Academy Kosovo at the Football Federation of Kosovo's (FFK) national camp in Hajvalia celebrated a milestone event, marking what officials described as a landmark moment for the country's football development. The academy is the first of its kind in the Balkans and one of four active FIFA Talent Academies in Europe operating as part of FIFA and Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger's Talent Development Scheme (TDS). FFK President Agim Ademi called the celebration a special day for Kosovo, saying the academy would produce footballers who could one day wear the Kosovo national team shirt. Ademi added that FIFA's trust had been instrumental in creating the conditions for Kosovo's talents to develop.

“It is one of those days when we speak not only about what we have achieved, but above all about what we want to build for the future,” he said. “And our future is here today, right in front of us – these children, girls and boys with big dreams. It is our responsibility to give them the opportunity to develop their talent, passion and love for football in the best possible conditions. “Dear Gianni [Infantino], Kosovo and its football community deeply appreciate your support. You have been a friend of football in Kosovo and someone who has believed that even small countries deserve great opportunities. Today, as these children become part of a FIFA programme here, in their own country, Kosovo, we understand even more clearly the importance of that vision.”

The acting Minister of Sports and Youth, Blerim Gashani said: “This academy is a step forward in the development of football and represents an investment in the potential of our young people, in the professionalism of sport and in creating opportunities for Kosovo's talents to develop according to the highest international standards." The event brought together legends of Kosovo's golden generation of football, the Minister of Sport, national team coaches across all age categories, FFK staff, representatives of the top-division men's and women's clubs, and parents of the children enrolled at the academy.

FIFA's TDS Lead in Kosovo, Arnar Vidarsson, said: "This milestone event is just the beginning. The cooperation between FIFA and FFK will continue and only grow stronger, with exciting projects ahead, such as performance analysis linked directly to the FIFA Talent Academy Kosovo and its coaching staff. We will keep working hard together to ensure that the talents of today can become Kosovo's stars of the future." Since becoming fully operational at the start of 2026, the Pristina-based academy has run an integrated model in which players train four days a week while continuing to represent their clubs at weekends. A parallel FIFA Talent Academy for girls has also been established, reflecting the FFK's commitment to equal development opportunities.

A nationwide talent identification process selected the first cohort, supported by an Elite Talent ID Workshop held in partnership with Feyenoord and the Coach Intelligence Lab, drawing on approaches from Scotland and the Netherlands. As part of the 2026 TDS projects, the FFK is also establishing a High Performance Unit with camera systems and performance analysis tools. Further FIFA Talent Academy milestone events are planned globally throughout 2026 and 2027.