Close your eyes and picture the week before Christmas. No queues, no grey skies, no wrapping presents at midnight. Instead, warm sand between your toes, a lagoon so clear you can watch the fish from your terrace, and the sound of your children squealing with delight as they whizz down the slide from your villa straight into the sea.
From 18 to 22 December 2026, Football Escapes heads to Siyam World in the Maldives with former Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidić. If you have ever dreamt of Christmas in the Maldives with kids, this is what that week really feels like.
Waking Up in Paradise
Mornings at Siyam World start slowly. Many villas come with a private pool, and the water villas have a slide that drops you straight into the lagoon, which is usually the first thing the children want to do each day. Breakfast is unhurried, with views over turquoise water. Then the footballers pull on their personalised kits and head off to train with Nemanja and our UEFA licensed coaches.
For parents, the morning is entirely your own. A slow swim in the lagoon. A treatment at the Veyo Spa, with its treatment villas, hydro facilities and relaxation areas. Or simply a sunlounger, a good book and the soft rhythm of the waves, knowing the children are having the time of their lives.
A Captain Who Leads by Example
Nemanja Vidić is one of the most respected defenders of his generation. Commanding, fearless and calm under pressure, he captained Manchester United through one of the most successful eras in the club’s history.
On the pitch, children quickly pick up on that quiet authority. Sessions are built around confidence, communication and reading the game, and you can see the difference by the end of the week, in how the children talk to each other and how they carry themselves. For any young defender, learning from Nemanja is something special.
The Football, Island Style
Training takes place on a pitch by the ocean, and there is something unforgettable about that first touch of the morning with the sea sparkling beyond the touchline. Children aged 5 to 15 are grouped by age and ability, so beginners and academy players alike are challenged in the right way. Each session mixes training, matches and a fun challenge, and across the week the focus moves from attack and defence to passing, technical play and shooting, before Challenge Day brings the trophy lift and a medal for every child.
On the first evening, the FE Games Night brings everyone together for games, friendly competition and plenty of noise, with brothers and sisters welcome to join in.
A Playground for Every Age
Once the boots come off, the whole island becomes your playground, and on one of the largest islands in the Maldives, there is far more to it than sand and sea.
Siyam Water World is the largest floating water park in the Maldives, with slides, floating parkours, water trampolines and climbing walls bobbing on the lagoon. It is open daily and free for guests, and getting the children to leave is a whole other challenge.
For slower afternoons, there is snorkelling, day and night diving with the SSI certified dive centre, marine biologist talks and daily nature activities, plus jet skiing, kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing and sailing. Families can visit neighbouring islands and meet local fishermen for a glimpse of everyday Maldivian life. Younger children can join Kidz World, which welcomes 4 to 11 year olds with learning and mindfulness activities alongside plenty of play, while tennis, padel, beach volleyball and the Play team’s daily games wait for anyone with energy to spare.
Evenings Together
As the sun sinks into the Indian Ocean, families drift towards dinner. With over a dozen restaurants serving Maldivian, Thai, Japanese, Indian, Spanish and international dishes, plus a teppanyaki restaurant and a wine cellar, there is something for fussy eaters and adventurous ones alike. Afterwards, catch the big match at Kulhivaru or soak up the lively atmosphere at the Jungali Pool Bar, before one last drink under the stars.
Later in the week comes the noise and laughter of the Parents’ Match, followed by drinks with Nemanja. And then the quiet bit: sitting on your terrace after the children are asleep, the stars out, the warm air still, wondering why you ever spent Christmas anywhere else.
Paradise, Without the Paperwork
A trip to the Maldives can feel like a big undertaking, so we make it simple. Our team arranges flights from anywhere in the world, transfers to the island and even the Traveller Declaration Forms needed for the Maldives. Once you arrive, the concierge team can book restaurants, excursions and spa treatments, so you can spend your time enjoying Christmas rather than organising it.
Memories Made at Siyam World
“Siyam World is an excellent resort. The staff could not be more helpful and the rooms are excellent. There is a fantastic choice of restaurants for lunch and dinner.
The coaches are excellent. Omar is fantastic and makes the experience. It’s not the energy, it’s the life lessons he imparts on the kids and how he demands their respect and attitude.
My 8 year old loved it this week so thank you.”
This parents feedback perfectly captures what makes the Siyam World experience so special, from the exceptional resort to the dedicated coaches who make a lasting impact on the children.
A Christmas Like No Other
By the final day, the children have new friends, new skills, a medal round their neck and a pitch side photo with a Manchester United legend. Their cheeks are sun kissed, their stories tumble over each other at dinner, and you will have seen a side of them that only a week like this can bring out. With the week finishing on 22 December, you can fly home to Christmas at your own kitchen table, or stay on and let the festive season unfold in the sunshine.
Either way, this is a Christmas the whole family will be talking about for years. And for those already dreaming further ahead, Siyam World welcomes:
Nemanja Vidić on the 18th – 22nd December 2026
Rio Ferdinand on the 29th March – 2nd April 2027
Ashley Young on the 25th – 29th October 2027
If you can see your family at Siyam World on one of these weeks, enquire early for the best rates and availability!
