Together with previous partner Volkswagen, FC Bayern can look back on three exciting, eventful years in its World Squad international youth football project. To get you in the mood for the class of '24, an additional episode entitled ‘FC Bayern World Squad Extended’ is now being released, highlighting the origins of the project and its greatest success stories.
This episode presents five players who have made the leap into professional football thanks to their participation in the FC Bayern World Squad. These include youngsters such as Viktor Orakpo, who now plays for Nice, and Viktor Baier, who has signed a professional contract with Viktoria Plzen.
Watch the new episode here:
Development of the FC Bayern World Squad project
The beginnings of the project were characterised by numerous challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Volkswagen recognised the potential right from the start and actively supported the project. The first success came in the first year, and the project not only became better known, but also more important from a sporting perspective.
In the second year, there was a clear step-up in performance, from the depth to the top of the talent pool. Nigerian Daniel Francis in particular enjoyed a highlight when he signed a contract with FC Bayern. He is currently on loan at Klagenfurt and plays for Wacker Innsbruck with buy-back rights. This development once again emphasises the opportunities created by the project.
„The FC Bayern World Squad project helped me a lot, because otherwise I wouldn't be where I am today.”
Daniel Francis, graduate of the '21 and '22 classes
Under the leadership of Roy Makaay, who came in as head coach for the third year, the team hit top form and won five out of six games. After the end of last season, three players signed professional contracts: Siam Yapp at Buriram United in Thailand, Orakpo at Nice and Baier at Viktoria Plzen.
„This is the third time we have organised the World Squad project, and of course our aim in a project like this is always to improve. Overall, we can be satisfied with the fact that a team and, above all, individual players have developed so well in just a few weeks.”
Jochen Sauer, director of the FC Bayern Campus
Abdoulaye Gueye, a goalkeeper who took part in the first season, explains how he is currently completing his vocational training with FC Bayern at Säbener Straße alongside his football and is therefore able to combine his hobby with his job.
„Our aim is not just to train professionals in the end, but rather to offer young people the opportunity to find their way in this direction. However, it is of course gratifying if this is confirmed in the end.”
Stephan Franssen, Head of Sponsorship at Volkswagen
A remarkable aspect of the World Squad project is not only the sporting success, but also the social commitment at the training camp destinations, which have ranged from Mexico to Brazil and Argentina, including as part of the club’s Red against Racism campaign. This shows that football is a universal language and that there is far more to the project than just sport.
„For me, the highlight at the end was that people from different cultures, some without even speaking the same language, understood each other so well through football. That was simply wonderful.”
Roy Makaay, head coach
FC Bayern World Squad: Class of '24
Fans of the FC Bayern World Squad project can look forward to an exciting fourth season with the class of '24. Makaay will once again be head coach this year and will be accompanied by a new partner along the way. More information will follow.
You can watch all eight episodes of the class of '23 here:
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