UEFA signs expanded cooperation deals with CAF and Concacaf until 2031

UEFA has formalised new long-term cooperation agreements with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Concacaf, extending cross-confederation collaboration programmes through to June 30, 2031.Both Memorandums of Understanding were signed in Vancouver around FIFA Congress week and set out a multi-year framework covering youth and women’s football, coaching, refereeing and knowledge exchange.UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin said: “Europe and the Concacaf region of North and Central America and the Caribbean are home to some of the world’s most diverse football cultures – from deep-rooted traditions to fast-growing, innovative environments. "This Memorandum of Understanding reflects our belief that by connecting these experiences, we can strengthen development pathways, raise standards and offer new opportunities throughout the game. UEFA is proud to work with Concacaf to share expertise and ensure football continues to unite its communities and inspire progress well beyond the pitch.”Concacaf president Victor Montagliani said: “Football is at its best when it brings people together, creates opportunity, and helps our global communities grow. "We are proud to partner with UEFA and look forward to working closely together in the years ahead, sharing knowledge, opening doors, and creating meaningful development opportunities for players, coaches, referees, and administrators across our region and in Europe.”With CAF, UEFA’s agreement expands existing cooperation and is positioned around sustainable football development across both continents.CAF president Patrice Motsepe said: “African Football has experienced significant growth over the past few years and we continue to build towards making it among the best in the world. "By signing the Memorandum of Understanding with UEFA, we are strengthening our historic ties and friendship between Africa and Europe that has seen some of the best African players succeeding in European leagues.“This partnership with UEFA includes youth and women’s football, development, the education and training of coaches and referees, the enhancement of governance and institutional development.”On youth development, UEFA will invite boys’ and girls’ teams from Concacaf member associations to take part in selected UEFA youth tournaments, with reciprocal involvement also built into the partnership.The CAF agreement includes participation by CAF member associations in selected UEFA youth competitions, alongside planned discussions on future iterations of the UEFA–CAF Meridian Cup and links to initiatives such as the CAF African Schools Championship.Both MoUs include structured knowledge exchange via reciprocal observer programmes at club finals and national team tournaments, plus participation in conferences and professional events.Concacaf’s MoU adds club licensing cooperation aimed at strengthening standards in line with recognised international practices, plus exploratory work on mutual recognition of coaching qualifications.The CAF agreement includes access to selected UEFA Academy programmes, cooperation on football medicine training frameworks, and coordination on governance and institutional development through regular meetings and progress reviews.The next steps are implementation planning across the agreed workstreams, with UEFA, CAF and Concacaf expected to set timelines for programmes, exchanges and technical activity across the 2026–31 period.