NLO Confirms LaLiga EA Next Gen 2026 Tournament for Youth Football in Lagos

Posted : 07 January 2026

The Nationwide League One (NLO), in collaboration with Legacy Sports, LaLiga, and EA Sports, has announced the 2026 LaLiga EA Next Gen Tournament, a landmark U14 football event set for Lagos, Nigeria. Scheduled from January 30 to February 1, 2026, the tournament promises to be a transformative platform for youth development in football.

The competition will feature 24 teams, equally divided between male and female participants. On the final day, selected teams will face one local male and one local female squad, providing a climax that will determine four outstanding male and four female players to advance to international training opportunities. The initiative forms a key part of the LaLiga EA Sports Project, supported locally by NLO and Legacy Sports.

Hosted at Mobolaji Johnson Stadium, Onikan, the tournament is designed not only to identify football talent but also to foster community engagement and instill core values such as teamwork, perseverance, and discipline. The program aligns with the global EA SPORTS FC FUTURES initiative, which aims to enhance youth football development worldwide, including events in Mexico, Japan, Morocco, China, and culminating in Spain.

On January 7, LaLiga and EA Sports will issue a global press release for the 2026 edition of the Next Gen Draft, highlighting its role as an international program combining competition, professional training, and cultural experiences. This year’s tournament strengthens the organizations’ commitment to creating opportunities for young players while expanding the initiative’s global reach.

The tournament features a structured, four-phase development program:

FC Rush Tournament: Players will compete in high-intensity 5v5 matches, inspired by the EA SPORTS FC video game, with two 7-minute halves. Over 80 matches will be played in a single day, assessed by official LaLiga coaches for technical skills, attitude, and vision. The best 50 players (25 boys and 25 girls) will advance.
FC FUTURES Academy Training: These 50 selected players will undergo specialized training led by UEFA PRO coaches using LaLiga’s official methodology. The top 32 (16 boys and 16 girls) will move to the next stage.
Final Match: Young talents will compete in a full 11-a-side game against a local team. Four standout players from each gender will be chosen for the ultimate LaLiga experience in Spain, based on both football ability and psycho-emotional attributes, emphasizing commitment, teamwork, and perseverance.
LaLiga Experience in Spain (June–July): Finalists will travel to Spain, with all expenses covered, joining 40 elite participants from previous stages. The program includes professional training sessions with UEFA PRO coaches, friendly matches against LaLiga youth teams, and exclusive cultural and football immersion activities.

With the LaLiga EA Next Gen 2026 Draft, Lagos will host one of the most prestigious youth football events of the year, offering young players an unparalleled platform to develop their skills and gain international exposure.

NLO Confirms LaLiga EA Next Gen 2026 Tournament for Youth Football in Lagos

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