Grassroots Football: From Foundation to Peak

Grassroots football is the foundation of the sport. Even professional stars once started on neighborhood football pitches. Through the FIFA Forward program, grassroots initiatives are funded in 211 member associations. The goal is to create an opportunity for every child to play football, regardless of their location or financial status.

The best grassroots systems can be seen in the experiences of Germany, Japan, and Iceland. After 2000, Germany opened 366 talent centers across the country—resulting in becoming the 2014 World Champion. Iceland, with a population of 330,000, reached the quarterfinals of the European Championship—the secret being 7 indoor arenas and over 800 qualified coaches.

There are great opportunities to develop grassroots football in Uzbekistan. The mahalla system is a ready-made infrastructure. Every neighborhood should have a football pitch and a qualified coach. The Playmatch platform can contribute to grassroots football—by booking pitches and creating groups, it becomes easier for children to get into football.