The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation and advancing football development across Africa and Europe.
The agreement, signed in Vancouver, Canada, outlines a shared commitment to growing the game while promoting inclusion, participation, and social cohesion through football.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe said the partnership builds on long-standing ties between the two continents and comes at a time when African football continues to make significant progress globally.
He noted that the collaboration would focus on youth and women’s football, as well as the education and training of coaches and referees, and improvements in governance and institutional development.
Motsepe added that the partnership reflects a shared vision of using football as a tool to unite people, expressing confidence that combining expertise and resources would enhance the sport’s impact worldwide.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin also highlighted the broader social importance of football, noting its influence both on and off the pitch across Europe and Africa.
He said the agreement would expand opportunities for boys and girls in youth football, while advancing women’s football and promoting women’s health and wellbeing through the sport.
The MoU, which runs until June 30, 2031, will focus on key strategic areas including youth and women’s football, coach education, refereeing, and broader development programmes.
It will also support knowledge-sharing initiatives, capacity building, and governance improvements, with regular engagements planned to monitor progress and ensure effective implementation.
The partnership is expected to create more opportunities for players, coaches, and administrators, while strengthening football systems across both continents.
