The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) have officially strengthened ties after signing a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at accelerating the growth and development of football across Africa and Europe.
The agreement was signed in Vancouver, Canada, by CAF President Patrice Motsepe and UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, marking what both organisations described as a significant step toward deeper collaboration between the two confederations..
The MoU will remain in effect until 30 June 2031 and is designed to promote football development, strengthen institutional cooperation, and expand opportunities across several strategic areas of the game.
Shared Vision for Football Growth
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Motsepe emphasised the rapid growth of African football in recent years and highlighted the importance of closer cooperation with Europe.
“African football has experienced significant growth over the past few years and we continue to build towards making it among the best in the world,” Motsepe said.
“By signing the Memorandum of Understanding with UEFA, we are strengthening our historic ties and friendship between Africa and Europe that has seen some of the best African players succeeding in European leagues.”
He added that the partnership extends beyond elite competition and reflects a broader ambition to use football as a force for unity and social impact.
“This partnership with UEFA includes youth and women’s football, development, the education and training of coaches and referees, the enhancement of governance and institutional development,” he stated.
“It also reflects CAF and UEFA’s shared vision of using football as a tool to bring together and unite the people of our two continents.”
UEFA Highlights Football’s Social Impact
Čeferin also underlined the significance of the agreement, describing Europe and Africa as two regions with rich football traditions and strong cultural connections through the sport.
“Europe and Africa are home to extraordinary football landscapes, where the game plays a vital role both on the pitch and within society,” he said.
“This Memorandum of Understanding reflects our shared commitment to expanding opportunities for boys and girls in youth football, while harnessing the power of the game to advance women’s football and promote women’s health and wellbeing.”
The UEFA president stressed that the partnership would focus on investing in people and sharing expertise to ensure football continues to positively influence communities across both continents.
Focus on Youth and Women’s Football
One of the central pillars of the agreement is the development of youth and women’s football.
Under the new framework, CAF member associations will participate in selected CAF-UEFA youth competitions, while reciprocal involvement will also be encouraged through initiatives such as the CAF African Schools Football Championship.
The collaboration is expected to create more competitive opportunities for young players and help strengthen pathways for talent development.
Women’s football development will also receive significant attention, with both confederations committed to increasing participation and improving support structures for female players and officials.
Coaching and Refereeing Development
The MoU places strong emphasis on technical growth through coach education and refereeing exchanges.
CAF and UEFA will work together to share technical expertise, best practices, and educational frameworks aimed at improving coaching standards across both confederations.
Referees and referee instructors will also benefit from exchange programmes designed to improve knowledge sharing and professional development.
The initiative is expected to provide African and European officials with greater exposure to different football environments and officiating standards.
Governance, Education and Institutional Cooperation
Beyond football operations, the agreement includes broader institutional cooperation in governance, education, and football medicine.
The two confederations plan to collaborate on education pathways, observer programmes at major tournaments, and participation in conferences and professional football events organised by CAF and UEFA.
There will also be regular coordination meetings and progress reviews to monitor implementation and ensure both organisations remain aligned on key priorities.
A Strategic Long-Term Partnership
The MoU signals a long-term commitment between Africa and Europe to jointly shape football development both on and off the pitch.
By combining expertise, infrastructure, and institutional experience, CAF and UEFA believe the partnership can help create new opportunities for players, coaches, referees, and football administrators alike.
The agreement also leaves room for future joint initiatives, with both governing bodies expected to explore additional projects over the coming years.
For African football, the partnership represents another major step in CAF’s wider strategy to elevate the game’s global standing while strengthening structures across the continent.
