Somalia Joins CAF Strategy Summit Focused On African Football Development
GOOBJOOG NEWS | PRAIA: Somalia is participating in the Confederation of African Football’s 2026 strategy summit in Cabo Verde, where football leaders are discussing plans to improve player development, coaching standards, governance and investment across the continent.
Somali Football Federation President and CECAFA Vice-President Ali Abdi Mohamed, known as Ali Shiine, is attending the summit with a delegation that includes national team coach Yusuf Ali Nur.
The meeting, chaired by CAF President Patrice Motsepe, brings together representatives of the 54 member associations, regional football bodies, CAF executive committee members, national team coaches and international football experts. FIFA President Gianni Infantino is also attending.
Discussions are centred on building stronger football institutions and developing sustainable pathways for African players and coaches. Leaders are also examining ways to improve administration and attract investment to support the long-term growth of the game.
The summit is also reviewing the performance of African teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and considering how lessons from the tournament can inform preparations for the 2030 edition.
Participation provides an opportunity for Somalia, to engage with continental football leadership on development priorities and the institutional challenges facing national federations. Improving coaching, strengthening youth development and building the capacity of football institutions are among the areas that can shape the progress of the national game.
The Somali delegation’s participation does not, by itself, indicate that new funding or specific development programmes have been agreed for the country. No Somalia-specific commitments arising from the summit were announced in the information provided.
The discussions form part of wider efforts by CAF and its member associations to strengthen African football and improve its competitiveness on the international stage.