The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has announced that Cape Verde will host the CAF Strategy Conference from October 7-9, 2026, in Santa Maria, Sal Island. This event, convened under the leadership of CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe, will bring together key stakeholders in African football, including Presidents of CAF's 54 Member Associations, Zonal Union Presidents, and CAF Executive Committee members.
The conference will focus on two main pillars: strengthening football development and sustainability across Africa, and analyzing the performances of Africa's 10 FIFA World Cup 2026 representatives. The goal is to prepare for even greater success at the FIFA World Cup 2030. CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe has invited all 54 CAF Member Associations, Zonal Union Presidents, and CAF Executive Committee members to discuss CAF's ongoing strategy to make African football world-class and self-supporting.
The event will welcome Africa's 10 FIFA World Cup 2026 participating nations and their coaches, as well as leading coaches of 44 other CAF Member Associations. Key global football stakeholders, including renowned football experts and the FIFA Technical Study Group, led by Arsène Wenger, will also attend. The conference will provide a platform for participants to share knowledge and experiences, with a focus on connecting lessons from elite international competition with player development, coaching, and long-term preparation.
Coaches of the African Women's National Teams that have qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027, as well as coaches of the African U-17 teams participating in the FIFA U-17 World Cup, will also participate in the conference. This will allow CAF to bring together different generations and levels of African national team football, facilitating the exchange of ideas and best practices.
Cape Verde's FIFA World Cup 2026 performance captured global attention, highlighting the significant progress African nations have made in recent years. This makes the country a fitting host for the CAF Strategy Conference, which takes place at a defining moment for African football. The conference will provide a platform to reflect on the World Cup achievements and identify lessons and actions needed for African football to further strengthen its competitions and build sustainable football ecosystems.
The CAF Strategy Conference will also be attended by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The event is expected to be a landmark moment for African football, with participants discussing CAF's ongoing strategy to elevate CAF competitions to global competitiveness. The conference will provide valuable insights and recommendations for the future of African football, with a focus on building a stronger, more sustainable, and more competitive football ecosystem across the continent.
The conference will conclude with a clear plan of action for African football, with a focus on achieving greater success at the FIFA World Cup 2030. Key points to be discussed include the need for African teams to compete consistently at the highest level, and the importance of building sustainable football ecosystems across all 54 CAF Member Associations.
Key points
- The CAF Strategy Conference will focus on strengthening football development and sustainability across Africa.
- The conference will analyze the performances of Africa's 10 FIFA World Cup 2026 representatives.
- The event will bring together key stakeholders in African football, including Presidents of CAF's 54 Member Associations and global football experts.
