National U19 detection: soccer and recruitment
Only Way Football - FFF & FIFA Agency

Each seasonHundreds of young footballers dream of taking the next step: joining a club or a national team. national championship in France for example, or simply to prove their level. If you're among those who live, eat and breathe soccerthen detection U19 nationals may be your moment of truth. 🎯
But how does it really work? What do recruiters expect? And, above all, how can you prepare for the big day? We explain it all to you, without the jargon, as if we were talking to football fans.
Selection process for U19 players
1. Evaluation criteria for joining a national-level team
Above all, know one thing: a process U19 is not just a game between friends. It's a complete test where every move counts. The scouts look at your technical level, your vision of the game, your stamina and your mentality.
They're not necessarily looking for the player who scores the most, but the one who understands the game, knows how to position himself, anticipate and communicate. A young player who is disciplined, consistent and intelligent in his play is more likely to get noticed than a solitary dribbler.
During the season When recruiting, coaches also look at your attitude: respect, team spirit, ability to listen. At a club, they're looking for a reliable player, not just a talented one, because of the championships they're targeting.
Clearly: show your level and your seriousness, but above all, your desire to progress.
2. Key steps in talent identification
Spotting U19 national often takes place in several stages. First, you fill in a registration form with your profile: age, position, current club, experience. Next come the tests.
Now it's time for the evaluation matches, with physical and technical tests - speed, coordination, passing, control, shooting and endurance. It's here that the scouts observe your reading of the game, your positioning, your behavior within the team. You can have a slump, that happens. What counts is how you react: do you give up or fight to the end? 💪
Every stage is designed to reveal your potential. And even if you're not selected this time, you'll gain valuable experience for next season.
Role of scouts and coaches in recruitment
1. Importance of scouts in youth soccer
Scouts are the eyes clubs. They are the ones who scour the fields for the nugget that will make the difference. They follow regional championships, watch talent discoveries, observe club performances. Their mission: to spot young people and recommend them to U19 team scouts or coaches.
They're not necessarily looking for "the best player in the match". They're looking for the rare profile: the one with potential, a winning attitude, a clear margin for improvement.
So, don't play to shine, play to be seen as a future pro 😉
2. How coaches identify future talent at national u19 detection events
U19 coaches don't just rely on statistics. They want players who can adapt to team play, understand instructions and keep a cool head. A good player is not the one who runs the most, but the one who plays the right way.
During the recruiting season, they cross-reference information from scouts, match videos and results from process. They also study your club career and your commitment to training.
If you want to get noticed, show that you're coachable: listen, apply, and keep your cool, even when it's tough. It's this attitude that makes the difference between a good player and a recruited one.
Advice for young players aspiring to join the national U19s
1. Develop technical and physical skills
Before dreaming of the national team, work on the basics. Your control, your passing, your endurance - these are your main weapons. Make the most of every season to progress, to improve position by position.
Want to stand out from the crowd? Be complete. A striker who defends, a defender who relaunches cleanly, a midfielder who knows how to read the game: that's what clubs are looking for.
And don't lose sight of the fact that soccer is all about repetition. One good match isn't enough. What catches the eye is your consistency.
2. The importance of mentality and discipline
Want to know a secret? Mindset counts as much as talent. Recruiters see hundreds of young people per year, but few have the right attitude.
Being punctual, respectful, focused - it changes everything. Your ability to take a remark, to pick yourself up after a mistake, is what shows your true character.
And never forget: soccer is a school of life. Your discipline on the pitch reflects your discipline in life.
Be consistent, work hard, and above all: stay passionate. Because it's that passion that will see you through every season.
Case studies and testimonials from selected players
1. Inspiring stories of young talent
Finally, let me tell you a story. Last year, Emmanuel François went from the French N3 to the European professional stadiums in just one year. Spotted in 2024 while playing in amateur National 3, he was able to move up to professional soccer thanks to our scouting work, advice and personalized support.
After a supervised trial in Poland, he signed his first contract with Siarka Tarnobrzeg, before joining Puszcza Niepołomice, a Polish 2ᵉ division club. In barely a year, he went from the 5ᵉ French division to the 2ᵉ professional division, discovering a demanding level and modern infrastructures. And that's just the beginning: we're continuing to support him towards the top European level.

We also have Siméon Ouré, who was playing in the French National 3 when the agency spotted him. Thanks to his international experience and solid network, the agency opened the doors to professional soccer in Poland. It organized his trials, negotiated his first contract in the 4th division and provided him with close support to help him adapt.
One season later, this strategic support enabled him to join Sandecja Nowy Sącz, an ambitious club in Poland's 3rd division. In less than a year, Siméon went from the 5th amateur division in France to the 3rd professional division in Europe: an exceptional rise that illustrates the agency's ability to transform a career rapidly. And the story continues: the aim now is to propel him to an even higher European level.
What do they have in common? A mentality of steel, exemplary discipline, and the conviction that every try is an opportunity to be seized.
A word from the coach
If you're reading these lines, it's because you're passionate about it. And that's already a big step. The rest? Work, courage and the ability to learn.
The doors to national U19 soccer recruitment sessions are never closed to those who truly believe in themselves. Get ready, give it your all, and remember: all it takes is one look, one action, one moment for everything to change.
So, are you ready to try your luck? 👉 Find out more about our upcoming recruitment sessions and come and write your story by becoming a pro footballer and playing in the biggest leagues.
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Only Way Football offers support and career management for soccer players, from scouting to the highest level.
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