Arsène Wenger to lead top African coaches in World Cup lessons panel at CAF Strategy Conference

Arsène Wenger will lead a high-profile panel of African coaches at the CAF Strategy Conference in Cabo Verde, with the continent’s historic 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign set to take centre stage.

The FIFA Chief of Global Football Development will be joined by a group of prominent national team coaches, including Cabo Verde’s Bubista, Morocco’s Mohamed Ouahbi, Egypt’s Hossam Hassan and DR Congo coach Sébastien Desabre.

The panel will examine Africa’s performance at the 2026 World Cup and consider the lessons that can be drawn from the tournament as the continent looks to strengthen its position in the global game.

The conference, which runs from 7 to 9 October, will bring together coaches, former players, football administrators and other key stakeholders from across Africa to discuss the development and future direction of football on the continent.

Wenger’s involvement underlines the emphasis being placed on technical development and sharing knowledge between African coaches and international football experts.

The former Arsenal manager, who has worked with FIFA on global football development since 2019, has been a leading voice on improving coaching structures, talent development and the technical standards of the game worldwide.

The discussion in Cabo Verde is expected to focus on how African teams performed against the world’s leading football nations during the 2026 World Cup and what can be done to build on the progress made.

The tournament represented an important opportunity for African football, with the expanded World Cup format providing the continent with greater representation and a platform to test itself against elite opposition.

For the participating coaches, the conference will provide an opportunity to assess tactical approaches, player development, preparation methods and the broader structures required for African national teams to compete consistently at the highest level.

Coaches at the centre of discussions

Bubista will represent the host nation and bring his experience of leading Cabo Verde’s national team, while Ouahbi will contribute from Morocco’s increasingly prominent position in international football.

Hossam Hassan, one of Egypt’s most recognisable football figures, will represent the North African perspective, while Desabre will offer insights from DR Congo’s national team programme.

The involvement of coaches from different footballing regions is expected to encourage comparisons between their approaches and identify common challenges facing African football.

The conference will also feature discussions involving football legends and other stakeholders, with the broader objective of developing strategies that can improve the continent’s football ecosystem.

CAF has increasingly placed emphasis on technical development, coaching education and creating stronger pathways for young players as it seeks to raise the standard of African football.

The lessons from the 2026 World Cup are therefore expected to form an important part of the discussions in Cabo Verde, particularly as African football looks towards future World Cups and major continental competitions.

The three-day CAF Strategy Conference will provide a platform for those involved in the game to reflect on the progress made, identify areas requiring improvement and discuss practical strategies for ensuring that African football continues to develop on the global stage.