2026 'Eaglet Plan' National Selection Camp Opens: Young Footballers Vie for Real Madrid Training Opportunity

The 2026 'Eaglet Plan' national selection camp opened in Xianghe, with 100 elite U14 and U15 male footballers competing for 22 spots to train at Real Madrid in Spain.

The 2026 'Eaglet Plan' national selection camp officially opened on July 26 at the National Football Youth Training Center (Xianghe Base). One hundred young footballers from across the country gathered here, all of whom have been selected into the Chinese Football Association's U14 and U15 male elite player pool, representing the highest level of domestic players in this age group. The selection camp lasts 14 days and will include multiple rounds of technical tests, live matches, and comprehensive evaluations. The 22 players who ultimately stand out will travel to Spain in October for a three-week overseas training camp at Real Madrid, where they will also play friendly matches against high-level Spanish teams of the same age. The 'Eaglet Plan' is a key youth training project in collaboration between the Chinese Football Association and Real Madrid, aimed at identifying and nurturing promising young players by providing them with international training environments and competition opportunities. Since its launch in 2015, the plan has sent several players to Europe for further development, some of whom have already entered professional club youth teams. At the opening ceremony, a CFA youth training official stated that the selection criteria this year are stricter, not only examining players' technical abilities but also their tactical understanding, psychological resilience, and teamwork spirit. Real Madrid will also send its youth coaching team to participate in the entire evaluation process, ensuring fairness and professionalism. Zhang Hao, a 14-year-old forward from Shandong Luneng Football School, said he has dreamed of playing for Real Madrid since childhood and sees this selection as a rare opportunity. He vowed to give his best performance. His father, Mr. Zhang, who accompanied him to the camp, expressed support for his son's football dream and hopes he can reach a higher platform through this selection. In addition to player selection, the camp also includes coach training courses, where Real Madrid youth experts will teach domestic grassroots coaches, sharing advanced training concepts and methods. This helps improve the overall level of domestic youth training, creating a virtuous cycle. As Chinese football reform deepens, the youth training system is increasingly improving. International cooperation projects like the 'Eaglet Plan' open doors for young players to top world clubs. In the future, these players are expected to become the backbone of Chinese football and help elevate the national team's level. The selection camp will conclude on August 8, when the final list will be announced. The 22 lucky winners will carry the hopes of Chinese football as they embark on their journey to Madrid, chasing their dreams on the pitch at the Bernabéu.

2026 'Eaglet Plan' National Selection Camp Opens: Young Footballers Vie for Real Madrid Training Opportunity

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