Brazilian Youth Football Initiatives Open New Opportunities for Young Players in February 2026
Various Brazilian cities launch youth football classes and talent selection events this February, promoting grassroots player development and local team recruitment.
- • Itapira opens football classes for children aged 4 and 5 starting March at Areninha.
- • São Vicente holds a multi-day peneira on February 19, 20, 24, and 25 for local team recruitment.
- • Sogipa conducts football selection on February 20 for youths born 2009-2014 with online registration.
- • These grassroots initiatives aim to develop motor skills, socialization, and football talents across regions.
Key details
Several youth football development events and programs are underway in Brazil this February, offering new chances for children and young athletes to engage with the sport. In Itapira, registrations have opened for football classes designed for children aged 4 and 5, held at the Complexo Esportivo Areninha Alcindo Gasparino. These classes, led by Professor Lucas Vinicius, aim to foster motor development and socialization while introducing young children to football. Training sessions start in March and take place twice weekly, on Mondays and Fridays.
Meanwhile, in the city of São Vicente, the Secretaria de Esportes e Lazer de São Vicente (Sespor-SV) is organizing a football talent selection known as a 'peneira' to recruit players for the local team. The selection will be conducted over four days—February 19, 20, 24, and 25—at the Centro Esportivo Beija-Flor, with training for selected athletes commencing on March 2. Registration occurs on-site without prior sign-up. Municipal Secretary Wando Barra highlighted the event as a critical opportunity for young athletes to start their football careers and contribute to sports development in São Vicente.
Additionally, Sogipa club is holding its own football selection event on February 20 for youth born between 2009 and 2014. This open peneira invites both members and non-members, requiring online registration and attendance at designated times by age group. Participants must wear appropriate football gear and bring identification, with approved players expected to enroll and pay monthly fees.
These initiatives demonstrate a strong regional commitment to grassroots football development, providing structured environments for skill-building from early childhood through adolescence. By combining accessible beginner classes with competitive selection processes, these programs aim to nurture local talent and promote sports participation across various age groups and municipalities.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (3)
Source comparison
Event dates
Sources report different dates for football selection events.
sogipa.com.br
"Sogipa is set to conduct a football selection event on February 20."
saovicente.sp.gov.br
"The evaluations are scheduled to take place on February 19, 20, 24, and 25."
Why this matters: The Sogipa event is scheduled for February 20, while the São Vicente event spans February 19, 20, 24, and 25. This discrepancy affects understanding of when these opportunities are available for young athletes.