Futsal and beach soccer are being increasingly prioritised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as part of a broader strategy to expand the game across the continent and improve global competitiveness.
CAF, which governs football in 54 African nations, has in recent years intensified efforts to develop alternative formats of the sport alongside the traditional 11-a-side game.
These include futsal a fast-paced indoor version, and beach soccer, both seen as key growth areas with the potential to widen participation and raise standards.
The organisation already oversees continental competitions in both formats, including the Futsal Africa Cup of Nations and the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations, which serve as qualification routes to global tournaments.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe has underlined the importance of expanding these formats, particularly beach soccer, which has shown notable growth in recent years.
Speaking at the 2024 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations, he said it was vital to encourage more countries to play regularly to ensure the continent remains competitive internationally.
“It was important to encourage more African countries to play regular and competitive Beach Soccer in order to ensure that African Beach Soccer is globally competitive,” he said.
The tournament itself highlighted both established dominance and emerging potential. Senegal secured yet another title — their fifth in six editions — reinforcing their position as the continent’s leading force in the sport.
At the same time, debut finalists Mauritania demonstrated the widening competitive base, signalling that investment in development is beginning to yield results beyond traditional powerhouses.
Beach soccer has been steadily expanding since its formal organisation under CAF in the mid-2010s, with the Africa Cup of Nations acting as both a continental championship and a pathway to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
CAF’s wider approach includes collaboration with regional bodies and international partners to strengthen infrastructure, coaching and participation. In southern Africa, for example, agreements with Beach Soccer Worldwide aim to create structured development pathways and increase exposure to international standards.
While beach soccer has gained visibility through competitive success and growing audiences, futsal is also part of CAF’s long-term vision. The indoor format, played across member associations through its own Africa Cup of Nations, is seen as a tool for technical development and youth engagement.
Together, the two formats are expected to complement traditional football by offering more accessible and varied entry points into the sport, particularly in urban and coastal communities.
CAF believes that sustained investment in these disciplines will not only broaden the base of the game but also help African teams compete more effectively on the world stage, as global tournaments in both futsal and beach soccer continue to grow in prominence.
With Africa set to host the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Seychelles in 2025, the governing body sees the coming years as a crucial window to consolidate gains and accelerate development across the continent.
