The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) will host a landmark Strategy Conference in Santa Maria, Sal Island, Cape Verde, from 7 to 9 October 2026. Convened under the leadership of CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, the three-day gathering will bring together football administrators, national-team coaches, and international experts to chart the next phase of African football development.

Why this conference, why now

The timing is deliberate. Africa sent a record 10 national teams to the FIFA World Cup 2026, and nine of them advanced to the knockout stages — a milestone that CAF intends to use as both a measure of progress and a springboard for deeper analysis. The Conference will examine what those performances revealed, technically and tactically, and how those lessons can sharpen African teams ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2030.

CAF's promotional strategy frames the gathering with a clear message: 2030 starts now. Every decision taken in Santa Maria is intended to feed directly into the next four years of planning and preparation.

Who will be in the room

The attendee list is broad by design. Presidents of CAF's 54 Member Associations, members of the CAF Executive Committee, and Zonal Union Presidents are all expected to participate, alongside the coaches who led Africa's 10 FIFA World Cup 2026 representatives. Those coaches will be central to proceedings, sharing their tournament experiences so the lessons can be absorbed across the wider membership.

Senior coaches from women's national teams that have qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027, and coaches of African U-17 sides competing at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, are also expected to attend, reflecting CAF's intent to connect elite men's football with women's and youth development.

On the international stage, FIFA President Gianni Infantino is expected to be present, and the FIFA Technical Study Group led by Arsène Wenger is anticipated to contribute expert analysis to the discussions.

What three days in Sal Island will look like

CAF has outlined a structured programme for the three days. The opening day on 7 October will focus on a Development Committee-related programme. On 8 October, Member Association Presidents will convene for a dedicated strategy meeting. The final day, 9 October, will centre on national-team performance, closing with an official press conference.

Media access will be managed through accreditation, with daily briefings and interview opportunities with coaches and experts planned throughout the event.

The bigger picture

CAF's wider ambition extends beyond the conference room. The organisation wants each of its 54 Member Associations to build sustainable football structures — covering coaching education, technical development, licensing, and investment — that can eventually stand independently while CAF competitions grow in global competitiveness.

Cape Verde's own FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign drew considerable international attention and made the island nation a fitting symbol of what African football can achieve. For CAF, Santa Maria is not merely a venue — it is meant to be the starting point for measurable, long-term change across the continent.