If your children dream of playing in a future World Cup, book them into one of these summer camps where they can train while you relax.
Most young football fans dream of following in the footsteps of their heroes. While a professional career may be a long shot, a football-focused family holiday can certainly help them sharpen their skills while creating unforgettable memories.
Across Europe and the Maldives, luxury resorts and specialist academies are partnering with former professionals, elite clubs and experienced coaches to offer training programmes for children of all ages and abilities. Whether they’re taking their first kickabout or already playing competitively, these camps combine expert coaching with plenty of holiday fun.
Jump to
Football camps in Portugal
Football camps in Spain
Football camps in Italy
Football camps in Greece
Football camps in Cyprus
Football camps in the Maldives
Kuramathi Maldives
Football camps in Portugal
Pine Cliffs, Algarve, Portugal
Working with Estima Sports Football Academy, Pine Cliffs organises football camps from February to December during all of the school holidays. Children aged from four to 16 can choose from programmes lasting from three, five, seven or even 10 days, with each morning spent developing their skills on the resort’s high-end seven-a-side football pitch.
This year’s line-up of former professional players hasn’t been confirmed yet, but last year’s star players included Manchester United’s Louis Saha, Dimitar Berbatov and John O’Shea.
Eden Villas Apartments, Algarve, Portugal
This is a less intensive option for children who want to fit their football around other activities.
Over three days a week, Eden Villas hosts a football academy for four-hour-long sessions in the morning, one for kids aged four to seven, and the second for those aged eight to 12. They all involve training from professional coaches.
Quinta do Lago, Algarve, Portugal
The Campus within Quinta do Lago has become one of Europe’s most renowned sporting destinations for young footballers, hosting the Football Camp every year.
Working in partnership with Football Escapes, top-tier coaches train youngsters aged from five to 15 during a fun and exciting week on world-class pitches. Every child will receive a full kit and medal after completing the course. Camps run from 6 April to 21 August.
Martinhal Sagres Family Beach Resort, Algarve, Portugal
To celebrate the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Martinhal Sagres Family Beach Resort is transforming its popular Football Academy into a special World Cup Football Academy from 11 June to 19 July.
Children aged four to 12 can join age-appropriate coaching sessions led by experienced coaches, with themed weekly challenges including penalty shootouts, free-kick competitions and mini tournaments. At the end of each week, participants receive a commemorative certificate, while families can watch live World Cup matches together at the resort’s M Bar.
Sessions are available as group training (€25) or private coaching (€29 for up to three children), making it an easy add-on to a beach holiday in the Algarve.
– READ MORE: Your ultimate family guide to the 2026 World Cup host cities –
Martinhal Sagres Family Beach Resort
Football camps in Spain
Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa, Cartagena, Spain
Tailored programmes for kids from six to 16 combine skill development with structured learning and daily match play. Groups are divided between younger players (aged six to 10) who enjoy themed sessions, while older kids (10 to 16) have more advanced training in two groups. There’s also a Fitness Academy for kids aged 10 to 18 offering football-specific workouts.
Forte Village
Football camps in Italy
Forte Village, Sardinia
Forte Village’s Football Academy works with Real Madrid Foundation Clinics to teach young players the technical skills and methods used by the Spanish club.
Former professional players and UEFA-qualified coaches train kids with a wide range of ages and abilities – and there’s no advance booking needed.
– READ MORE: Best family hotels with waterparks in Europe –
Football camps in Greece
Costa Navarino, Messinia, Greece
Costa Navarino will continue to run football camps for children from six to 14 during the summer holidays.
Children will work with a team of coaches to improve their ball control, passing, shooting and match skills. Through a combination of technical drills, practice sessions and fun competitive play, participants will develop their skills while embracing the philosophy of respect, fair play and team spirit.
Camps run from three to five days with an extra cost for additional days. Details for this year’s camps have yet to be finalised, but keep an eye on the website over the coming weeks.
Ikos Olivia, Halkidiki, Greece
The all-inclusive Ikos Olivia makes a luxurious setting for these Football Escapes sessions run by Football Escapes this August.
Former Crystal Palace player Joel Ward hosts the next course from 3 to 7 August for kids aged from five to 15, with daily coaching sessions of up to two hours. From 10 to 14 August, former Chelsea and England player Gary Cahill takes over coaching duties.
The pitches are built for five-a-side matches, so this is probably more suitable for younger children.
Elounda Collection, Crete, Greece
Come to this luxury resort from early May until the beginning of November to sign up for the Valencia Soccer Camp, which gives children aged five to 16 the chance to refine their skills using the Spanish club’s coaching methods on the resort’s private football pitch.
Throughout the season, youngsters can experience training based on the Valencia CF model, while the resort also hosts special residencies with former professional footballers. Former England captain and Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince took up a residency from 27 to 31 May 2026, following former Arsenal and England defender Martin Keown’s residency in August 2025. More football legends are expected to visit in future seasons.
– READ MORE: Where to go in Europe with your family this summer –
Elounda Collection
Football camps in Cyprus
Parklane, Limassol, Cyprus
This family-friendly luxury resort works with Football Escapes to host two football camps during the year.
The first is during the spring half-term holiday from 25 to 29 May, when West Ham midfielder and sporting director Mark Noble will train kids aged five to 12 on a pitch sized for five-a-side matches.
Older kids are welcome to join in, and the resort is packed with plenty of other activities including tennis, padel and a state-of-the-art gym. The next football camp is scheduled for 26 to 30 October.
Olympic Lagoon Resort, Paphos, Cyprus
Young footballers will love the Olympic Soccer Academy at Olympic Lagoon Resort, where the training sessions are included at no extra cost.
During the five-day courses, kids learn the academy’s Triple P philosophy: prep, practice and play. Morning sessions are divided between three age groups: Mini Kickers (ages three to six), Junior Kickers (ages seven to 12) and Rock Kickers (13+).
The Soccer Academy runs from April to October and there is no need to book in advance.
– READ MORE: Plan your next Cyprus holiday with our good beach guide –
Patina Maldives
Football camps in the Maldives
Siyam World, Maldives
Luxury meets top-class sport in Siyam World’s programme of five-day football camps held during the school holidays for children aged four to 14.
The first is Argentinian and Barcelona player Javier Saviola, who leads training from 5 to 10 April, then Chelsea’s Gary Cahill takes over from 13 to 17 April. Atletico Madrid’s star striker Fernando Torres will be there in July, and England player Andrew Johnson comes over in August. More will be announced for October and Christmas holidays.
Patina Maldives, Fari Islands, Maldives
FC Bayern Munich returns to Patina Maldives after a successful run last year.
From 22 to 26 March and 30 March to 3 April, these elite football camps led by official Bayern trainers will coach keen young athletes aged from six to 17. But between training sessions there is scheduled downtime so kids can enjoy the beauty and relaxed atmosphere of the Maldives.
Kuramathi Maldives
Campioni Soccer Academy marks its 10th anniversary by returning to Kuramathi Maldives – booked exclusively through Kuoni – for two sets of training weeks.
From 27 July to 1 August, daily sessions will be led by England legend Stuart Pearce MBE and former West Ham defender Adrian Whitbread for children from four to 16. Then from 3 to 8 August, Whitbread is joined by Manchester United’s treble-winning defender Wes Brown to train and inspire eager young players.
– READ MORE: If heaven were an island it would be this posh Maldives resort –
Kuramathi Maldives
Wes Brown talks football and the Maldives
A product of Manchester United’s academy, Brown spent 15 seasons at Old Trafford, winning seven Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues and earning England caps along the way. This summer he’ll be passing on his knowledge at the Kuramathi Maldives academy.
What are your top tips for aspiring young players?
Always give it your best. Make sure you listen to coaches and people around you. You don’t have to do anything too special early on; if you focus on learning the basics properly and doing them well, it’ll give you a really strong foundation.
What World Cup team will you be keeping a close eye on?
There’s only one team I’ll be keeping an eye on – and that’s England! It’s going to be difficult, but looking at the last few tournaments, we’ve got a lot of experience from a lot of the players. I hope they do very well.
Are you hoping to catch any of the World Cup games?
I’ll of course be watching. I haven’t made any firm plans to go over yet, but knowing me, you’ll never know. I haven’t spent much time in the host cities before, but I’m really looking forward to seeing how the tournament unfolds.
You played in the 2002 World Cup – what is a standout memory from that time?
It’s an incredible experience to be a part of. What really stands out is just how big the competition feels when you’re actually there. Seeing how many fans travel from all over the world and feeling that level of support is something else. Ronaldo’s haircut!
Did you ever join a hotel football camp as a child?
Unfortunately not. When I was growing up, we didn’t really go abroad on holiday. But I definitely would have loved to. My mum told me all I ever did was kick a football around.
What can families expect from your training in August?
First of all, Campioni Soccer Academy is about fun. Everyone’s on holiday, so while the training is designed to be insightful and help kids learn, the main focus is making sure they’re having a great time. Having Campioni at a place like Kuramathi instantly creates a brilliant atmosphere – parents can relax, and the kids are excited and engaged.
What should parents look for when selecting a summer football academy for their children?
I might be a bit biased here, but I always think it’s a bonus if there’s an ex-player involved. That said, the most important thing is that the kids can play football, make friends and enjoy themselves.
Where were your favourite places to travel when your daughters were younger?
When they were younger, we tended to go to Europe to make the most of the weeks I had off. Spain and Portugal were always our favourites. We have been to the Maldives on a family holiday too. If you ask them now, they’ll tell you it’s still their favourite holiday ever.
