To explore this, founder Kenn Schmidt Nielsen visited more than 100 clubs, academies, and training centers in 26 countries across Europe, South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and North America. Each stay lasted four to ten days and included in-depth observation of coaching philosophies, player development structures, training methods, and cultural influences.​

During these immersive visits, the project examined both qualitative and quantitative factors, including:

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• Training curriculum design and implementation

• Pathways for youth and professional player development

• The role of local culture and values in coaching

• Athletic development and physical conditioning methods

• Nutritional strategies and support systems

• Coach education and mentoring structures

• Use of data, technology, and performance analysis tools

 

By observing and learning from a wide range of football environments, the GFT Project identified common patterns, uncovered hidden strengths, and exposed blind spots in how different systems shape the modern player.​

The outcome of this work is the GFT Curriculum — a comprehensive, globally informed training framework built around the concept of Game Intelligence. This goes beyond technical skill and focuses on decision-making under pressure, spatial awareness, creativity, tactical understanding, and emotional resilience: the traits that define elite players at every level.​

First implemented at Global Football School USA in Charleston, South Carolina, the GFT Curriculum offers a new model for player development. It blends global best practices with a clear, consistent methodology that adapts to each individual athlete, aiming to develop not only better players, but more thoughtful, self-aware, and intelligent competitors on and off the pitch.