Arsene Wenger to join African coaches at CAF strategy conference in Cape Verde

Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s chief of global football development, will join a group of Africa’s leading national-team coaches at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) strategy conference in Cape Verde this month.

The former Arsenal manager will take part in an information-rich panel discussion alongside coaches whose teams made a significant impact at the 2026 World Cup. The panel will include Egypt manager Hossam Hassan, Cape Verde head coach Bubista and DR Congo boss Sebastien Desabre.

The CAF strategy conference will be held in Cape Verde from 7 to 9 October, bringing together coaches from all 54 of the continent’s member associations, football legends and other stakeholders.

The event will focus on ways to advance the development of football across Africa, with participants gathering under one roof to discuss the future of the game on the continent.

CAF said the discussion about the 2026 World Cup will be led by Wenger. The tournament represented a historic achievement for Africa, with nine of the continent’s 10 participating teams reaching the knockout stages.

CAF will announce the schedule and programme of events in due course. The sessions will also be broadcast live.

Bubista, regarded as the driving force behind Cape Verde’s impressive performances at the World Cup, has become a widely recognised figure. Returning to his home country for the conference, he will present his analysis and insight into his team’s displays during the tournament.

Morocco also reached the quarter-finals under Mohamed Wahbi, further reinforcing the Atlas Lions’ status as one of the leading national teams in world football.

Hossam Hassan, the former Egypt striker and current manager of the senior national side, guided the Pharaohs to their first World Cup victory. He also played a central role in a memorable campaign that included a thrilling encounter with Argentina, in which Egypt held a two-goal lead until the closing stages.

Desabre, meanwhile, was in charge of DR Congo as the team returned to the global tournament after an absence of 52 years. He successfully led them through to the round of 32.