CAF Futsal Round Table charts way forward for Futsal development in Africa

The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) convened a strategic CAF Futsal Round Table in Rabat on Sunday, 11 October to discuss the future and development of futsal across Africa.

Held ahead of the start of the TotalEnergies CAF Futsal Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026, the CAF Futsal Round Table brought together representatives from CAF, Member Associations, Coaches, Referees, Team Managers and Technical Experts to exchange views on the challenges facing the sport, while also identifying growth opportunities.

Key areas of focus included the specialization of referees and officials, the training and certification of coaches, and the development of structured youth competitions, including school-based tournaments.

Participants also explored ways to increase regular competitive opportunities for national teams and support greater participation by CAF Member Associations. The need for sustained development was reflected in the growth of the continental game.

Among the statistics that were revealed was the number of associations entering the qualifying competition for the 2026 edition which have increased to 18, from 10 in 2024. The increase highlights growing interest in the sport and the importance of creating pathways for continued participation.

Speaking after the engaging session, CAF’s Director of Football Department,  Gerson Melo said:

“The development of futsal in Africa requires a coordinated approach that goes beyond continental competitions. We must invest in coaching and refereeing, strengthen youth structures and create more regular opportunities for our Member Associations to compete. The Round Table is an important step towards establishing a shared strategic vision for the future of the game across the continent”

The Round Table further provided an opportunity for stakeholders to contribute directly to the strategic planning process, including the establishment of a working group to help draft the Strategic Plan.

Through this initiative, CAF aims to build a shared vision for futsal development, supported by stronger technical structures, investment in education and increased opportunities for players and officials across Africa.

The TotalEnergies CAF Futsal Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 is currently underway, with eight strong African nations contending the African title between 12 – 21 October 2026.