ACADEMIES
High-quality, home-grown players are the cornerstone of any successful senior national team and competitive domestic league. It all starts with having a large number of players at youth level. The best talents should train and play with and against the best players in the best environment. Professionalised environments where the most talented players are developed on a day-to-day basis (also when they are not part of the youth national teams) are crucial.
Academies in the top MAs have the lowest player-to-coach ratio across the U-12 to U-15 age bracket (11 players to 1 coach).
High-ranked associations have clearly defined football and coaching philosophies in their leading academies.