Ural Aküzüm, the renowned Turkish football expert, has been elected to UEFA's Youth and Amateur Football Committee. The announcement was made on May 19, 2026, following a meeting at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, on May 12, 2026. At the ceremony, Aküzüm received his membership certificate from Committee Chairman Bjorn Vassallo and Rafael Louzán, President of the Spanish Football Federation.

In his acceptance speech, Aküzüm highlighted Turkey's football potential, stating that Turkey is the sixth-largest football economy in Europe, with amateur football as a crucial component of this ecosystem. He noted that approximately 550,000 licensed players play for nearly 7,000 amateur clubs in Turkey, where around one million children are born each year. He emphasized Turkey's significant youth and amateur football capacity and discussed reforms, development leagues, and digitalization efforts undertaken by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF).

Aküzüm also mentioned the Ministry of Youth and Sports' investments in infrastructure and emphasized Turkey's readiness to co-host UEFA Euro 2032 alongside Italy. He stressed the strategic importance of grassroots football and called for increased financial and organizational support from UEFA and the European Union for youth and amateur football development.

Additionally, Aküzüm discussed the need for standardizing elite youth player development programs across Europe, highlighting the importance of methodology, technical training, data usage, and club-academy integration in youth player development.

Andriy Shevchenko, President of the Ukrainian Football Federation, also attended the meeting and provided insights into youth football development and amateur football projects.

Aküzüm noted the significant roles played by Turkish-origin players in European football, with around 600 players participating in top leagues across Europe and the UK, contributing to the Turkish national team. He also mentioned the inspiration provided by former Polish football legend Zbigniew Boniek, the previous chairman of the UEFA Youth and Amateur Football Committee.

The committee continued its discussions on agenda items, including the planning of the 2027-28 and 2029 U19 and U17 international tournaments and the UEFA Regions Cup events to be held in Turkey's eastern regions.