The FIFA Football World Cup is on now.

Millions of kids are staring at screens all over the globe, watching, cheering, yelling, screaming, and jumping around their living rooms as their heroes pass, kick, and tackle their way to football immortality.

Some of these kids will experience a burning—a little flicker of the flame of inspiration in their chests—and think and speak those words that have been the motivation for so many of humanity’s greatest achievements. "I wonder if I could…"

Let’s commence the longest journey in sport: how a 12-year-old turns a World Cup dream into a World Cup reality.

The numbers tell the story of your World Cup journey

There are an estimated 270 million people actively playing football worldwide, with over 60% of players under 18. That’s roughly 162 million young players chasing the football World Cup dream right now.

The 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia will feature 48 teams, the same expanded format we’re seeing in the current World Cup. If teams are permitted to stick with 26-man squads, that’s 1,248 players playing in 2034.

Here’s the scary bit.

162 million young players. 1,248 World Cup spots.

That’s roughly one in every 130,000 young footballers currently playing in junior football competitions around the world right now who will be there at the Football World Cup in 8 years’ time.

Knowing that—whether you live and play in Peru or Perth, in Seoul or in Sao Paulo, in Cairo or in Cordoba—how do you improve your odds of being one of those who make it to the top of the World Game?

It’s a journey: much like any other

When you plan any journey, you need to know three things:

  1. Your destination: Where you want to go—what skills, qualities, and attributes will you need to get to the 2034 World Cup?

  2. Your starting point: Where you are now—what skills, qualities, and attributes do you currently possess?

  3. Your road map: How to get there—what do you need to do to progress your skills, qualities, and attributes to close the gap between where you are and where you want to be?

Let’s start with your destination.

As it is with every journey, the first step, contrary to popular belief, ISN’T actually the first step! It’s very clearly and accurately knowing with certainty and confidence where it is you are going.

What is it that defines success at the World Cup level in football?

Is it skill? Yes, partially but there are millions of skillful players around the world who never play at a World Cup.

Is it speed? Absolutely. Speed is a critical element of greatness at the highest level of the game but again, there are many, many players across the globe who can run very fast.

Is it endurance? Of course. Being able to run and run and run some more is very much an integral aspect of the game of football.

The thing that differentiates the World Cup from all other football competitions is this: pressure—the ability to consistently play with great skills at high speeds for long periods when and where it matters.

Your destination isn’t just about improving your skills or training to run faster. It’s about mastering the mental side of the game to enable you to be at your best in front of 100,000 screaming fans (50% of whom want you to fail) and while being watched by an estimated TV audience of billions of football fans.

Once you know where you’re going, the next part of your path to progress towards the 2034 World Cup is knowing where it is that you’re commencing your journey.

This isn’t about your geographic location; it's your current football location, i.e., where are you now in terms of skill, speed, fitness, and the mental elements of the game.

Sport teaches us one thing above all—that anything is possible.

It doesn’t matter where you are right now on your football journey. You can be short in stature or tall for your age. You can be the first player selected in every team you play for or a bench player who doesn’t seem to get the opportunities you deserve.

None of it matters.

All that matters is this: you don’t have to be great to start but you have to START to be great. In other words, it doesn’t matter how much or how little talent you think you have or don’t have. All that matters is that you make the decision and the commitment to pursue your dream step by step, little by little, one kick, one pass, and one tackle at a time—starting today.

The really important bit: your road map

Unless you’re driving across the desert, roads are never straight or smooth or even.

Every road has bends and turns, bumps and cracks, and ups and downs.

Your road to the 2034 World Cup will be the same.

There will be times when it will seem like the road never ends.

On some days, you’ll be dealing with injuries, fatigue, aches, and pains and be thinking, "Is it all worth it?"

In the old days, sailors and travellers would use the night sky and the stars to show them the way forward.

For you, young traveller, the star you follow is your love of the game of football.

This is the brightest star of all because if you keep your eyes and your heart firmly fixed on your love of the game, no matter what obstacles you face and no matter how difficult the road ahead might seem, you will keep moving towards your destination.

As for how much training to do, that’s up to your coach.

How to improve your kicking, passing, and tackling? Again, find a coach who’s as committed and dedicated to your success as you are.

But the one thing above all that will keep you marching on relentlessly without hesitation—the one thing that will turn your dreams into an unbreakable quest for excellence—the one thing that will make you an unstoppable force as you drive toward the lined, green fields of the 2034 World Cup—will be your love of the game.

Final thought

There’s one more question every young player will ask themselves as they commence their World Cup 2034 journey…. Can I do it, i.e., am I good enough to dare to dream this dream?

In one word. Yes.

With few exceptions, greatness is not something you are born with. Some of the most extraordinary players became the brilliant athletes they are for one reason and one reason above all—they wanted it!

The secret to success is not really a secret. It’s this.

Dream big, train hard, and never give up.

Of the millions of young players who dream of World Cup glory, those special, wonderful few who will be there in 8 years’ time discovered that "secret," embraced it and lived it every day from today until the whistle blows in 2034.

Why can’t you be one of those players?

You can. Dream big – train hard – never give up.

I know you can do it.

Reference sources

FIFA (2006). FIFA Big Count 2006: 270 Million People Active in Football . Fédération Internationale de Football Association. (Accessed: June 2026).
FIFA (2023). Professional Football Report 2023. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. (Accessed: June 2026).
FIFA (2024). 2034 FIFA World Cup: Saudi Arabia Confirmed as Host Nation. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. (Accessed: June 2026).
Saudi 2034 (2024). FIFA World Cup 2034: Tournament Overview. Saudi Arabian Football Federation. (Accessed: June 2026).
Wikipedia (2025). 2034 FIFA World Cup. (Accessed: June 2026).