CAF picks Cape Verde for landmark football strategy conference

Cape Verde will host the CAF Strategy Conference from October 7 to 9, 2026, with the island nation’s breakthrough FIFA World Cup campaign providing the backdrop for a major review of African football.

The three-day conference will take place in Santa Maria on Sal Island and bring together key decision-makers from across the continent as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) seeks to build on Africa’s record performance at the 2026 World Cup.

The event will be convened under the leadership of CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, who has invited the presidents of all 54 CAF Member Associations, Zonal Union Presidents and members of the CAF Executive Committee (EXCO).

The gathering will focus on two major areas: strengthening football development and sustainability across Africa, while analysing the performances of the continent’s 10 representatives at the 2026 World Cup.

CAF says the lessons from the tournament will be used to prepare African teams for greater success at the 2030 World Cup.

Motsepe targets self-sustaining African football

Motsepe is expected to use the conference to advance CAF’s wider strategy of making African football world-class and self-supporting.

The discussions will also examine how CAF can improve its competitions and raise them to a level capable of competing globally.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is expected to attend the conference, adding further weight to the gathering of African and international football leaders.

The conference will feature the coaches of Africa’s 10 World Cup representatives, alongside leading coaches from the other 44 CAF Member Associations.

Renowned football experts and the FIFA Technical Study Group, led by former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger, will also participate.

The involvement of the technical experts is expected to provide an opportunity for African football authorities and coaches to assess the tactical, technical and developmental lessons from the World Cup.

World Cup success under the microscope

Africa’s 2026 World Cup campaign will form a central part of the discussions after the continent sent a record 10 national teams to the tournament.

Nine of those teams reached the knockout stage, underlining the progress made by African sides on the international stage.

CAF intends to use that performance as a foundation for identifying areas that require further development ahead of the 2030 World Cup.

The conference will bring together coaches and administrators involved at different levels of the game, allowing lessons from senior international football to be connected with player development, coaching and long-term national team planning.

Coaches of the African women’s national teams that have qualified for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup will also attend.

The coaches of African U-17 teams participating in the FIFA U-17 World Cup are expected to join the discussions, creating a platform that connects the senior game with the next generation of players.

Cape Verde gets global spotlight

Cape Verde’s selection as host comes after the country’s impressive showing at the 2026 World Cup attracted international attention.

Its campaign has been viewed by CAF as a reflection of the progress African football nations have made in recent years.

The choice of Santa Maria therefore places Cape Verde at the centre of discussions about the continent’s next phase of development.

Beyond reviewing the World Cup, the conference will seek to identify practical measures for strengthening CAF competitions and developing sustainable football structures across all 54 member associations.

CAF says the meeting will provide an opportunity for African football leaders to turn the lessons of the 2026 World Cup into longer-term strategies.

With the 2030 World Cup already emerging as a key target, the conference will bring together the continent’s leading football administrators, coaches and technical experts to examine how Africa can maintain its upward trajectory and establish stronger foundations for sustained success.