Development tournaments preparing elite players and referees of tomorrow

Each year, we organise dozens of development tournaments to help talented young players gain crucial experience of international football.

Last season, 46 such under-15 and under-16 events brought male and female youth teams from around Europe – and beyond – together to sample what it is like to represent their national team, helping them sample the demands of international football.

This year is no different, and last week, we teamed up with the Danish Football Association (DBU) to organise under-16 tournaments for girls and boys in Türkiye, in a spirit of friendship, learning and collaboration.

Teams from Denmark, England, France and Spain featured in the boys' edition, while the girls' included Denmark, England, Spain, and – thanks to the UEFA Together programme, which links European football to our sister confederations around the world – a team representing the USA.

"These tournaments demonstrate the value of international collaboration. It not only allows our youth players to learn from different footballing traditions and prepare them for the increasingly international environment of the modern game, but also allows different national associations and confederations to work in unison and learn from each other's expertise to help grow the game globally," explained UEFA deputy general secretary Zoran Laković.

USA girls in action against DenmarkDBU

A pressure-free learning environment

Our development tournaments primarily provide players and coaches with a taste of high-intensity international football and tactical styles that differ from their own, as well as building psychological skills through the experience of living away from home in a week-long tournament setting.

The aim is to prepare teams for UEFA Under-17 European Championship qualifying, where results start to matter, by taking away many of the unknown experiences that players may otherwise face.

Specific regulations such as minimum playing time, increased substitutions and penalty shoot-outs in case of draws emphasise the focus on player development rather than pure results. Stars such as Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Gavi and Matthijs De Ligt have all taken part in development tournaments before launching their senior international careers.

"The development tournaments offer young players a vital experience, allowing them to face different styles and intensities, while learning about life as an international footballer, in a non-pressurised environment," said UEFA chief of technical development Olivier Doglia, "The benefit only grows when teams can also meet opponents and officials from other cultures, so this week has been a really enriching event for everybody."

Coaching teams participated in joint sessions to share their knowledge and experienceDBU

The benefits are keenly felt by those involved.

"Here, we can give players the last 5%, being with the best players in their age group and meeting the best players from other countries," said DBU technical director Anders Gerber.

"It’s the best match experience they can get, and our Danish national team coaches, girls and boys, have been preparing for this tournament together, so they learn and take inspiration from each other. Our analysts are also together whereas normally they travel alone."

Strengthening experiences through global collaboration

As well as CONCACAF's presence through the USA's girls' team, our close cooperation with CONMEBOL also allowed up-and-coming referee teams from Argentina and Ecuador to join the action.

This not only broadens their horizons with new styles of play to follow, it also exposes European and North American players to a different type of officiating.

"It’s really important that players learn there are different styles of refereeing and this is a way to get more experience as a player and learn how to behave on the pitch," Gerber said.

By strengthening pathways for players and officials alike, the latest UEFA development tournament has been about far more than international competition. It has helped to build networks across confederations, and prepare young people for the demands of the elite game – both on and off the pitch.