How Right to Dream Became the World’s Best Academy in 2025

Right to Dream closed out 2025 in the strongest possible way, being named Best Academy at the Globe Soccer Awards.

While the award marked a significant moment, it was the result of steady progress across three continents, guided by long-term vision and a shared commitment to creating opportunity for young people on and off the pitch.

Global Growth Across Three Continents

The year marked continued expansion and investment across the Right to Dream ecosystem.

A new Right to Dream Academy opened in San Diego, extending the organisation’s development model into the United States. Alongside this, plans were announced for a new state-of-the-art academy in Ghana, the birthplace of the Right to Dream community. Continued development also took place across academies in Egypt and Denmark, strengthening delivery across existing locations.

Growth in 2025 was reflected not only in infrastructure, but also in relationships. Dozens of new partnerships were formed across the global community, alongside the renewal of long-standing partnerships that continue to strengthen the ecosystem.

Playing Young, Competing at the Highest Level

Across all clubs, 2025 reinforced a consistent approach: results matter, but how we win and who we win with matters more.

In the United States, San Diego FC reached the Western Conference Final in their inaugural Major League Soccer season, fielding the youngest backline in league history.

In Egypt, FC Masar Women were crowned Egyptian Premier League champions for the second consecutive year and reached the CAF Women’s Champions League semi-finals again, competing with the youngest squad in the competition. On the men’s side, FC Masar Men achieved a third consecutive promotion and now compete in Egypt’s fully professional Second Division A, with academy graduates stepping into first-team football.

In Denmark, FC Nordsjælland Women reached the UEFA Women’s Europa Cup quarter-finals while also fielding the youngest squad in the competition. The team reflected the organisation’s global footprint, including Egypt international Laila Elbehery — the first Egyptian woman to score in a European competition — and Ghana Academy graduate Princess Marfo.

Meanwhile, FC Nordsjælland Men continued to provide a platform for academy graduates to take their first steps into professional football.

Education as a Core Pillar

Education remained central to the Right to Dream model in 2025.

To date, more than 100 graduates have earned academic scholarships to leading schools and universities across the United States and United Kingdom, including Ivy League institutions. In 2025 alone, a record eight student-athletes secured scholarships.

Progress continued across regions, with two additional Egypt Academy graduates earning scholarships in the US, bringing the total to four Egypt graduates studying in the US just four years after the academy’s launch.

Graduates Making an Impact

Right to Dream graduates continued to feature on major international stages in 2025.

At national team level, Sery Grace Ruth and Safi Ouedraogo represented Côte d’Ivoire at the U17 Women’s World Cup, while Ousseni Bouda and Adamo Nagalo represented Burkina Faso at the Africa Cup of Nations. Princess Marfo added a WAFCON bronze medal with Ghana.

At club level, graduates reached some of the game’s biggest stages, including Patrick Dorgu reaching the UEFA Europa League final, Daniel Svensson joining Borussia Dortmund, Mario Dorgeles signing for SC Braga, and Kamaldeen Sulemana joining Atalanta.

A Connected, Learning Community

Beyond competition, 2025 highlighted the strength of a connected global community.

The International Academy became more diverse, with graduates from Egypt, Ghana, and Denmark hosting its first camp in the United States. Academy teams also competed at top international tournaments, including Gothia Cup and Marveld, gaining exposure against elite opposition worldwide.

Development pathways expanded not only for players, but also for coaches and staff, with exchanges and learning opportunities across locations.

Purpose Beyond the Pitch

Purpose-driven initiatives continued alongside football and education.

The second edition of Coaching Queens, delivered in partnership with Nike and The Powerhouse Project, supported the development of female coaches across Africa. Meanwhile, the Purpose Entrepreneurship Programme, powered by the Mansour family as part of their contribution to Common Goal, supported five new changemakers tackling social challenges beyond football.

A Year That Came Together

Looking back, 2025 was not about a single achievement or headline moment.

It was about alignment. About building environments that last and creating space for young people to grow through many different pathways.

The Best Academy recognition reflected that collective work, shaped by hundreds of individual journeys across the Right to Dream community.

Thank you to everyone across the Right to Dream community who helped shape the year.