The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Wednesday aimed at deepening cooperation in football development across Africa and Europe.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe and UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin signed the agreement in Vancouver, Canada. The MoU runs until June 30, 2031.
The agreement covers youth and women’s football, coach education, refereeing, governance and institutional development, as well as the broader exchange of expertise between the two confederations.
Motsepe said the partnership built on the longstanding connection between the two continents, pointing to the success of African players across European leagues as evidence of that relationship’s depth.
“This partnership with UEFA includes youth and women’s football, development, the education and training of coaches and referees,” Motsepe said. “It reflects CAF and UEFA’s shared vision of using football as a tool to bring together and unite the people of our two Continents.”
Čeferin said the two bodies shared a commitment to expanding access to the game and advancing women’s football. “By working closely with CAF, we aim to invest in people, share expertise and strengthen football’s positive and lasting impact on communities across both continents,” he said.
Under the MoU, CAF member associations will participate in selected CAF-UEFA youth competitions, while European and African associations will develop tailored, long-term partnership programs.
The agreement also opens pathways for referee officials to exchange knowledge and for both confederations to collaborate on football medicine and education frameworks.
The MoU reaffirms the two bodies’ shared conviction that football can drive opportunity, education and social impact across both continents.
