Cape Verde to Host CAF Strategy Conference, Bringing Together Africa’s 54 Member Associations’ Presidents, Senior Men’s, Women’s & Youth National Team Coaches, and International Experts to Shape the Future of African Football
The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) has announced that Cape Verde, whose inspiring FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign captured global attention, will host the CAF Strategy Conference from 7 to 9 October 2026 in Santa Maria, Sal Island.
Convened under the leadership of CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, the Conference will bring together the Presidents of CAF’s 54 Member Associations, Zonal Union Presidents, CAF Executive Committee (EXCO) members, National Team coaches and international football experts.
The landmark event will be structured around two pillars: strengthening football development and sustainability across Africa; and analysing the performances of Africa’s 10 FIFA World Cup 2026 representatives to prepare for even greater success at the FIFA World Cup 2030.
CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe has therefore invited the Presidents of all 54 CAF Member Associations, Zonal Union Presidents and CAF Executive Committee to discuss CAF’s ongoing strategy to make African football world-class and self-supporting, and to elevate CAF competitions to global competitiveness.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is expected to attend the Conference.
The Conference will welcome Africa’s 10 FIFA World Cup 2026 participating nations and their coaches, the leading coaches of 44 other CAF Member Associations, and key global football stakeholders, including renowned football experts and the FIFA Technical Study Group, led by ArsèneWenger.
Participants will also include 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.
Bringing these generations and levels of African national team football together will allow CAF to connect lessons from elite international competition with player development, coaching, and long-term preparation required for African teams to compete consistently at the highest level.
Cape Verde’s FIFA World Cup 2026 performance captured global attention and highlighted the significant progress African nations have made in recent years, making the country a fitting host for the CAF Strategy Conference.
The CAF Strategy Conference takes place at a defining moment for African football, following the performances of the continent’s record 10 National Teams at the FIFA World Cup 2026, where nine teams progressed to the knockout stage, demonstrating the growing strength and competitiveness on the global stage and providing valuable lessons to support the continent’s ambitions at the FIFA World Cup 2030.
The Conference will provide a platform not only to reflect on the World Cup achievements, but also to identify the lessons and actions needed for African football to further strengthen its competitions and build sustainable football ecosystems across all 54 CAF Member Associations.
