Catalan Giants Expand Global Footprint with New Training Center Set to Open September 2026
FC Barcelona has officially announced plans to launch a new Barça Academy in the Tunisian capital, marking a historic milestone as the club’s first training center in North Africa. The facility is scheduled to begin operations in September 2026, representing the latest expansion of the Catalan club’s worldwide educational network.
The Tunis academy will become the 29th branch in Barcelona’s prestigious global network, reinforcing the club’s quarter-century commitment to exporting its distinctive football philosophy beyond Spanish borders. This strategic move underscores the Blaugrana’s growing focus on the Arab region as a fertile ground for talent development.
“Through this project, we continue our long-standing strategy of establishing football schools worldwide,” a club spokesperson stated. “Our goal is to transfer Barcelona’s unique playing methodology and sporting values to new generations of young players across the globe.”
Strategic North African Expansion
The Tunisian initiative comes as part of Barcelona’s broader international development strategy, which has seen the club operate training centers across three continents for over 25 years. Currently, the academy network comprises 11 facilities in the Asia-Pacific region, 10 in the Americas, and eight centers spread across Europe and the Middle East.
Interestingly, the Tunis academy’s announcement coincides with the planned reopening of Barcelona’s first-ever international academy in Cairo, Egypt, which is set to resume operations after a four-year hiatus. The Egyptian facility, originally established during the 2006-2007 season, paved the way for the club’s Middle Eastern and North African expansion.
Proven Track Record of Talent Development
Barcelona’s academy system has demonstrated remarkable success in nurturing international talent, with several graduates achieving prominence in Europe’s top leagues. Japanese international Takehiro Tomiyasu, who currently competes in the English Premier League, honed his skills at the Barça Academy in Fukuoka before his professional breakthrough.
Similarly, Polish goalkeeper Marcin Bulka emerged from the club’s training centers in Poland, eventually securing a move to Paris Saint-Germain and later establishing himself in Ligue 1. These success stories highlight the technical impact of Barcelona’s educational institutions on the global football landscape.
Regional Football Development
The new Tunis academy aims to serve as a talent discovery hub for North African football, providing young players with access to Barcelona’s renowned methodology and coaching expertise. The facility will join an elite network of training centers that have become synonymous with producing technically proficient, tactically aware footballers.
With the African football market continuing to develop rapidly, Barcelona’s investment in Tunisia positions the club favorably to identify and nurture emerging talent from the region, potentially opening pathways to European football for promising North African players.
About FC Barcelona’s Academy Network
Since establishing its first international academy in 2006, FC Barcelona has developed a comprehensive network of training centers spanning four continents. The academies operate under the club’s “Barça Methodology,” which emphasizes technical skill development, tactical understanding, and the club’s distinctive possession-based playing style.
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