In recent years, Chilean football has experienced an unprecedented period of development and institutional growth in recent years. Working alongside FIFA, the Football Federation of Chilean Football Association (FFCh) has consolidated programmes that have become a benchmark for developing future generations of talent.

“Thanks to FIFA’s strategic support, the Football Federation of Chile has driven transformative initiatives that have strengthened infrastructure and talent development, promoted inclusion and helped consolidate the growth of football across the country,” said FFCh president Pablo Milad, as he reflected on six years of working together.

One of the key pillars of this process has been the development of high-quality sports infrastructure. In October 2025, the FFCh unveiled the José Sulantay Silva High Performance Centre at the Quilín complex in the capital, Santiago.

The project involved an investment of USD 3.2 million, with USD 3 million coming from phases 2.0 and 3.0 of the FIFA Forward Programme. The centre boasts a FIFA Quality Pro-certified artificial turf pitch, floodlighting, a state-of-the-art gym, changing rooms, medical facilities and technical offices.

The complex served as the main training venue for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025™, earning the FFCh a Silver Award at the FIFA Forward Awards 2026 in the Americas.

“FIFA Forward funding has enabled us to invest in infrastructure, building and improving high-standard facilities that have become a benchmark in our country. They provide a pathway for developing Chile’s future talent, from the U13 age group through to the U20 national team, which is the final stage of their development,” Milad explained.

The centre was inaugurated as the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025 drew to a close. Held in September and October 2025, the tournament saw Morocco crowned champions after overcoming Argentina in the final.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino hailed the scale of the event: “This World Cup has exceeded all our expectations. Around 600,000 fans are thought to have attended matches, a truly extraordinary figure. Every participating team has praised the Football Federation of Chile for its hospitality.”

Reflecting on the tournament’s legacy, Milad said: “The organisation of the tournament, in partnership with FIFA, has left a lasting infrastructure legacy. Expert advice was provided on stadium improvements, multiple training grounds were equipped with international-standard pitches, two hybrid pitches were built, one being fully funded by FIFA, and top-of-the-range equipment was acquired to ensure the proper maintenance of the playing surfaces. All of these facilities remain in use today and continue to benefit Chilean football.

"Beyond its sporting legacy, the World Cup also provided inspiration for thousands of boys and girls who were able to experience the tournament, watch matches and dream of one day following in the footsteps of the players they saw in action. Beyond the infrastructure, the real legacy lies in that inspiration: encouraging new generations to aspire to be like those footballers, emulate their moves and see football as a source of hope for the future.”

Ensuring the continuity of youth competitions was another priority. With more than 3,000 kilometres separating the clubs between Arica and Puerto Montt, the Forward Programme, together with funding from FIFA’s COVID-19 Relief Plan, allocated more than USD 3 million to transport, accommodation, meals and health and safety protocols. This support helped bring the National Youth Football Championship (U-18 and U-21) back following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with 43 professional clubs and 2,150 footballers taking part across the country.

From a methodological perspective, the Talent Development Scheme (TDS) organised the identification of promising young players through the Copa Futuro, training camps and scouting sessions held in Antofagasta, Chillán, Concepción, Coquimbo, Iquique, La Calera and Rancagua. A prime example is goalkeeper Sebastián Mella, who was spotted in 2024 and started at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025 before earning a place in the senior national team. He is part of a group of more than 15 players from these development cycles who now represent Chile at international level.

Chile was also selected to take part in the FIFA Academy global pilot programme.

“Chile was selected, alongside Czechia, Korea Republic, Senegal and Morocco, for the FIFA Academy programme. The pilot initiative focused on identifying a leading academy for talent development in Chile, with the aim of meeting FIFA standards and inspiring leading academies and the wider academy network,” Milad added. “The aim was to gain a deeper understanding of the working models of the academies selected as benchmarks for elite youth development in Chile and establish them as leaders of the country’s academy model.”

Professionalisation and gender equality were another major area of focus.

“The development of female coaches and coach educators has also been an important part of the programme’s impact. Ten female coaches are undergoing training to become future instructors, honing coaching expertise specifically for the women’s game, alongside specialised training and mentoring programmes and initiatives designed to promote female leadership in Chilean football. As for male coaches, five FIFA instructors in Chile have completed the programme, while 14 new coaches are currently going through the process, including two newcomers. Together, they are strengthening the quality of coaching and talent development while laying the foundations for the future of Chilean football,” he explained.

In the socio-educational sphere, Chile was a pioneer in South America in launching FIFA Football for Schools at the Monasterio Celeste in Requínoa, in partnership with the National Football Institute (INAF). The initiative reached more than 5,000 schoolchildren and provided training for 120 physical education teachers across five regions of the country.

“FIFA Football for Schools was an incredible experience. We led the way in South America, directly reaching more than 5,000 children in schools across the country. Physical education teachers have been trained to use FIFA Football for Schools to encourage children to take up football from an early age, while also using the game as an educational tool to foster values and develop the technical, tactical and psychological skills involved in being part of a team,” Milad said.

The wider initiative culminated in the publication of the first report on amateur football in Chile, offering a nationwide overview of non-professional football and its various disciplines.

“The report on the amateur football landscape was also presented in Chile. Information and working methods were gathered from across affiliated and unaffiliated amateur football, women’s football, disability football, beach soccer and futsal. The Association has committed to continuing the development of this beautiful sport with FIFA’s support. I’m hugely grateful to FIFA for the enormous contribution it has made to Chilean football. We hope this process will pave the way for future success for the sport we all love,” the FFCh president concluded.