How Greece is rebuilding football from the grassroots up
Thursday, September 10, 2026
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The Hellenic Football Federation (HFF) is expanding opportunities to play football across Greece while introducing a new nationwide approach to developing the country’s next generation.
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From school pitches to football academies, thousands of players across Greece are being given new opportunities to enjoy the game as part of the HFF’s drive to strengthen football at every level.
Under the central message of ‘Rebuilding Football’, the HFF has significantly expanded its grassroots activities over the past two years, with equal access and participation at the heart of its approach.
“Football is more than a game; it is a powerful force for bringing people together and creating opportunities,” says HFF president Makis Gkagatsis. “By rebuilding football from the ground up, we are investing in stronger communities, greater inclusion and a future where everyone has a place in the game.”
Reaching new players
School football has been one of the main priorities for the HFF, with competitive and educational activities delivered in more than 1,000 venues over the past two years, involving more than 10,000 students and 1,000 educators.
There has also been a major focus on encouraging more women and girls to get involved in the sport. Thousands of girls from pre-school age upwards have enjoyed a first taste of football through dedicated programmes and football festivals, while educational events focused on topics specific to women’s football have reached more than 5,000 players, club representatives, parents and coaches.
UEFA Football in Schools
Inclusion is another key priority, with more than 1,000 people with hearing, visual and mental health impairments taking part in HFF football and educational activities each year.
“Real change starts where football starts – with people,” says HFF CEO Domna Tsioni. “Our ambition is to turn every grassroots opportunity into a pathway for participation, learning and personal growth, making football more accessible, more inclusive and more meaningful across Greece."
Anagennisi: a unified approach to youth development
Alongside its efforts to broaden participation, the HFF is working to create a more consistent approach to developing young players through a programme called ‘Anagennisi’, meaning rebirth.
Now in its second year, the initiative focuses on boys and girls aged six to 14 and aims to establish a shared development philosophy across Greek football.
At its heart is a simple principle: player development comes before results.
Rather than prioritising league positions and tournament victories, Anagennisi aims to create an environment where children can be empowered to make decisions and learn from mistakes without worrying about winning or losing.
Adapting the game to the player
Age-appropriate playing formats are central to this approach.
Young players begin with 2v2 and 3v3 football before progressing to 5v5 and 8v8, with 11v11 only introduced from Under-14 level onwards.
By adapting the game to each stage of a child’s development, players have more touches of the ball, more one-on-one situations and more opportunities to develop their technical ability, confidence, creativity, teamwork and understanding of the game.
Building stronger foundations
Under Anagennisi, the HFF is also strengthening its connection with regional associations, academies, coaches and players.
As well as providing an overall strategy, technical expertise and financial support, the HFF also co-organises regional grassroots activities for more than 7,000 children every year.
Together, these initiatives are making football more accessible while creating stronger foundations for its long-term development.
For the HFF, Greece’s football future starts long before players reach the elite game. It begins in schools and academies, with coaches and communities – and from a child’s very first touch of the ball.