CAF and UEFA seal new MoU to strengthen football development ties

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and UEFA have officially signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU), reinforcing cooperation between African and European football.

The agreement was concluded in Vancouver on Tuesday, April 28 2026, on the sidelines of events leading to the FIFA World Cup 2026, marking a renewed commitment between the two confederations to collaborate on key areas of the game.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe and UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin were present at the signing ceremony, holding signed documents in a symbolic moment that highlights the strengthening relationship between the two governing bodies.

The newly signed MoU builds on previous agreements between CAF and UEFA, particularly the 2014 partnership that focused on knowledge exchange and technical cooperation.

The latest deal is expected to expand collaboration across multiple sectors, including coaching education, refereeing, youth development, women’s football, competition management, and administrative capacity building.

With UEFA overseeing some of the world’s most advanced competitions and development structures, the partnership is anticipated to provide CAF and its member associations with greater access to expertise and resources.

This could significantly enhance football structures across Africa, from grassroots initiatives to elite competitions.

The agreement may also pave the way for joint programmes, exchange initiatives, and potential competitive collaborations, further integrating African football into the global ecosystem.

More details on the scope and implementation of the MoU are expected to be released in the coming hours, but the signing itself already signals a major step forward in intercontinental football cooperation.