The official opening of the Spanish Real Madrid Academy took place in Erbil during a ceremony attended by diplomats, officials, athletes, and representatives of the media. The step is considered an important milestone in developing the football infrastructure for youth categories in the Kurdistan Region.

The new academy is located within the Erbil Avenue project and will provide professional football training for boys and teenagers aged between 4 and 17 years. It follows an international training system inspired by the methodologies and playing styles of several of Real Madrid’s most prominent stars, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Federico Valverde.

The organizers said the academy aims to nurture local football talent according to international standards and to open long-term pathways for young athletes in the Kurdistan Region.

Jassim Salem, the academy supervisor, said during the opening ceremony that around 500 boys have already registered in the program, reflecting strong public interest in the initiative.

He added that one of the academy’s key features is an annual opportunity for participating students to travel to Spain, where they will be able to visit Real Madrid facilities and see the club’s players up close.

Salem said the academy was designed to give boys professional level football education while also connecting them with international sporting experiences.

During the announcement of the opening of Real Madrid Academy in Erbil. (X)

Real Madrid in Erbil

The opening ceremony was attended by a number of senior Kurdish officials and sports administrators, who described the project as part of broader efforts to modernize sports infrastructure and invest in youth development in the region.

The advisor to the Kurdistan Regional Government Council of Ministers for sports affairs, Bakhtiyar Farhad, said the initiative aligns with the vision of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani aimed at expanding support for athletes and youth sports programs.

He added, “This project is part of the Prime Minister’s vision to serve athletes,” noting that the authorities are also considering launching similar sports initiatives in other cities across the Kurdistan Region.

During the announcement of the opening of Real Madrid Academy in Erbil. (X)

Strengthening sports infrastructure in Erbil

For his part, the Governor of Erbil, Omed Khoshnaw, stressed that the academy represents an important addition to strengthening the sports infrastructure in Erbil and expanding opportunities available to young athletes.

The technical director of the academy in Erbil, Juan José Romero, explained that registration is open to all boys from across the Kurdistan Region and is conducted exclusively through an online system.

A youth academy of footballing giant Real Madrid was opened in the Kurdistan Region’s capital Erbil on Friday, in what may become the launching pad for future stars of the sport pic.twitter.com/85pQccLJbx

— The New Region (@thenewregion) May 8, 2026

During the announcement of the opening of Real Madrid Academy in Erbil. (X)

During the announcement of the opening of Real Madrid Academy in Erbil. (X)

During the announcement of the opening of Real Madrid Academy in Erbil. (X)