Arsene Wenger expressed satisfaction after visiting the AIFF-Fifa Talent Development Academy, set up in Bhubaneswar. The Fifa’s chief of Global Football Development commented, "I am happy to be in India with my team. I saw the facilities and the quality of infrastructure is great here in Odisha. Our observation is that among 211 countries, most have no real youth education. The best countries have good education systems for young children. So, many children don't even get the chance.”

He explained, “Giving every talent in the world a chance is what our program is about. To identify the talent in India, give good education and a good level of competition to make great players. How long it could take, we do not know, but without education, we will remain where we are. Our target is to get India back on the map. No country has more rights than any other to be on the top. Our huge effort is to educate children to get them as good as they can be. You cannot start to play football at 15. You need to start at five or six.” 

However, the AIFF and the Odisha government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the AIFF-FIFA Talent Academy at the Odisha Football Academy in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday in the presence of Wenger.

 The MoU between the two was signed by the AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey and R Vineel Krishna, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Sports and Youth Services. The state sports minister Tushar Kanti Behera was also present.

Chaubey said, “Wenger’s guidance, leadership, technical plan, and strategy will help India dream. Let us take a small step and qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup on merit, and soon the senior FIFA World Cup. I have high expectations through the AIFF-FIFA Talent Academy that we will get our best U-17 team in the coming three years," Mr. Chaubey added.

After the ceremony, Wenger watched budding footballers under the FIFA Talent Development Scheme, training at the adjacent ground. He also interacted with the coaches involved in the training.