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+---- Thread: Deep Dive: Academy Task # 5 (/showthread.php?tid=9249)
Deep Dive: Academy Task # 5 - Rancidbudgie - 2026-04-03
A look at the S26 class’ nationalities, and which international federations stand to benefit.
For this Deep Dive, I will be looking at the current class of S26 academy prospects, and where they fit into their birthplace’s international federation. I have only used data up until yesterday so any very recent players created will not be included in the data
Some areas of the SSL’s International front have robust and active federations (like the British Isles, the United States of America, and Asia). Others have smaller cores of active players and rely on transfers or inactives to fill some positions, and are federations where young players could potentially jump into playing time very quickly (Like Eurasia, Central Europe, and West Africa).
This article will break down which nations the newest S26 recruits hail from, and go over each federation’s change in numbers. Will the rich get richer? Will some smaller federations get a boost? Let’s have a look!
British Isles: (14 New Players total)
England (5)
Ireland (2)
Scotland (6)
Wales (1)
Total Active players (Including S26): 43
% of active players in S26: roughly 33%
The British Isles does not struggle with fielding a full starting XI, and this massive draft class only bolsters one of the most active international federations in the SSL. The 13 S26 members contain a good mix of positions, including 2 of the classes’ 4 goalkeepers. This is definitely a case of the rich getting richer, and the British Isles will likely continue to be a “transfer out” federation. The S26 draft class alone makes up almost exactly ⅓ of all current active British Islanders.
Asia: (4 New Players Total)
Japan (2)
Thailand (1)
Vietnam (1)
Total Active players (Including S26): 29
% of active players in S26: Roughly 14%
A nice boost for a very active federation, with an interesting quirk being that all 4 of the S26 class from Asia are all primarily midfielders. Asia isn’t particularly desperate for midfielders at the moment, so look for these players to be placed in secondary positions for a while, or for Asia to continue to be a moderate “transfer out” federation.
United States: (4 New Players Total)
USA (4)
Total Active players (Including S26): 35
% of active players in S26: Roughly 11%
The USA is one of the few countries to have an international federation all to themselves, and with 35 active players total, the S26 class will continue to fuel the United States as more of a “transfer out” federation with its healthy numbers continuing.
South America: (3 New Players Total)
Argentina (1)
Peru (1)
Venezuela (1)
Total Active players (Including S26): 13
% of active players in S26: Roughly 23%
South America is one of the smaller federations in regard to active players, and the S26 class now pushes the federation over the threshold to have a fully active starting XI. While they still lack any active primary defenders, they now have an active goalie (that's me!). Even with only three new players, the S26 class makes up around a quarter of active South American players, a great boost for the federation.
Alpine Federation: (2 New Players Total)
Slovenia (1)
Switzerland (1)
Total Active players (Including S26): 13
% of active players in S26: Roughly 15%
Both Alpine S26 players are defenders, in a federation that has a very healthy defense and midfield. No active Alpine players are primarily attackers, but like the South American Federation, are now just over the eleven active players threshold, so the S26 class will likely see international playing time earlier than some others.
Canada: (2 New Players Total)
Canada (2)
Total Active players (Including S26): 13
% of active players in S26: Roughly 15%
Canada has the exact same activity numbers as the Alpine Federation, and also shares roster similarities as well. Canada is even more loaded with active defenders, boasts a good midfield, but also lacks active primary attackers. Still, the S26 class won't have to wait long here to see international playing time.
Central America: (2 New Players Total)
Mexico (2)
Total Active players (Including S26): 13
% of active players in S26: Roughly 15%
For the third federation in a row, there are two S26 players that combine to make 13 total active players. Central America gets the primary LD it's been looking for, and adds a bit of depth to a well-rounded squad. Central America can be pleased with the positioning of the S26 recruits so far.
West Africa: (2 New Players Total)
Ghana (1)
Nigeria (1)
Total Active players (Including S26): 11
% of active players in S26: Roughly 18%
With the S26 class added, West Africa can celebrate that it currently has exactly 11 active users for a fully active starting squad. Positionally there will need to be some accommodations, as West Africa appears to have an excess of midfielders at the expense of some defense. Overall, West Africa should be happy to snag two more active players!
Benelux: (1 New Player Total)
Netherlands (1)
Total Active players (Including S26): 17
% of active players in S26: Roughly 6%
Benelux is a well-rounded and fairly active squad with more than the minimum starting XI. Only having one new active user won't be crushing at the moment, and the player created is listed as a striker - a position Benelux only has one other player listed as, and who is getting further along in years and will eventually need some young competition. All things considered, Benelux should be okay with this draft class so far.
Central Europe: (1 New Player Total)
Germany (1)
Total Active players (Including S26): 12
% of active players in S26: Roughly 8%
Only one player created for Central Europe so far in S26, but at least they are listed at RWB, a primary position the federation is currently without. This is a bit of depth beyond the active starting XI, which gives a bit of breathing room, but Central Europe likely hoped for another couple of players to prepare for the future.
Eastern Africa: (1 New Player Total)
Djibouti (1)
Total Active players (Including S26): 12
% of active players in S26: About 8%
Another federation adding to their starting XI, this S26 player is actually quite vital, as East Africa is currently operating with two of their active eleven listed as goalkeepers. The recent S26 addition from Djibouti is a RD, something East Africa has recently done without as a primary position, so they will be a great to round out the lineup.
Eastern Europe: (1 New Player Total)
Croatia (1)
Total Active players (Including S26): 15
% of active players in S26: Roughly 7%
Unfortunately for Eastern Europe, they only see one new player in S26 to shore up their depth. While this isn't much of an issue with more than eleven active users anyways, the latest Croatian is listed as a keeper - a position Eastern Europe already has three of amongst actives. This makes any younger active goalkeeper in Eastern Europe a good candidate to transfer out for more international playing time - otherwise it's a long wait.
Oceania: (1 New Player Total)
Australia (1)
Total Active players (Including S26): 13
% of active players in S26: Roughly 8%
The good news: Oceania is in a solid place for actives, and has added another player for depth with this S26 player. The bad news - the primary position listed for this player is a central midfielder - which Oceania has EIGHT of already. One active forward, no active wingers, and no active goalkeeper - a lot of Oceanic players will be in an off-position for international play, but their midfield will be a terrifying thing to behold.
Pyrenees Union: (1 New Player Total)
France (1)
Total Active players (Including S26): 19
% of active players in S26: Roughly 5%
A very strong Federation, the Pyrenees Union doesn't need a lot of active players right now. They are a likely candidate as a “transfer out” federation, but do have the interesting twist of having a large number of S18 players. While that definitely is not ancient by any means, there will come a time where this Union may have a succession of retirements - so of course, having a consistent trickle of active players is always a good thing. But for the moment, only having g kne player in the S26 class is nothing to worry about.
Federation with no S26 representation (currently):
Eurasia (5 Active Players)
Norden (14 Active Players)
Eurasia is the federation most desperate for active players, and the only federation with less than a full eleven to choose from (and they have less than half of that with 5!) They are a clear ‘transfer in” candidate that is open to newcomers, but currently have zero S26 prospects. Anyone creating within this federation would likely see playing time much sooner rather than later. For now, Eurasia clearly appears to be in the roughest shape out of the international federations, in regard to currently active users.
Norden was a surprise to have no S26 prospects, but they currently don't need them to field a full active starting XI. While it would be nice to shore up some depth and develop more prospects to replace a
any aging nationals, there isn't anything to panic about just yet.
I hope you enjoyed the international analysis! Thanks for reading.
RE: Deep Dive: Academy Task # 5 - Lpapi - 2026-04-03
As a non-British Isles player, I'm scared...