The mini-football international announces the 2026-2027 agenda and praises the UAE’s efforts
Prague, 4 May / WAM / The International Federation of Mini-Football announced, in a report today, its upcoming agenda and scheduled events in a number of countries around the world during the remainder of this year and 2027, praising the UAE’s efforts in developing the game on the Arab level through the presidency of the Federation.
Ashraf bin Salha, Vice President of the International Federation of Mini-Football, confirmed in a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) that the upcoming agenda includes a package of global and continental championships, in addition to comprehensive development programs for coaches and referees, and a strategic expansion of the base of member states.
He explained that the continental competitions include the European Cup of Nations in Slovakia during the period from May 27 to June 4, 2026 with the participation of 24 teams, and a partnership between the African and European federations will be announced on the sidelines of the tournament, then the Asian Cup of Nations in August in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, the Women’s African Cup from September 25 to October 4, 2026 in Cameroon, and the African Cup of Nations for men in Guinea Conakry during the period from 7 to 2026. January 25, 2027.
He pointed out that the Women’s World Cup in Croatia will be held from October 14 to 18, 2026, and in conjunction with the event, the Under-23 World Cup will start from October 14 to 18, and the 2027 World Cup will be held in the city of Brno in the Czech Republic in June 2027, with the participation of 32 teams that will be revealed according to the results of continental competitions.
The Vice President of the International Federation revealed professional paths to ensure the quality of technical and refereeing performance, by establishing a new program for coaches that includes obtaining the International Federation’s “A and B” diplomas, due to their importance in obtaining an internationally accredited technical license, under the supervision of Mexican coach Ronnie Ortiz, who achieved historical achievements with the Mexican national team in the 2019 World Cup.
He noted the launch of an integrated program for training referees that includes three levels: national, continental, and elite, adding that last month witnessed the accession of a large group of countries to membership in the International Federation, which enhances the global spread of the game, namely Sudan, Syria, Lebanon, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Uganda, Cameroon, Costa Rica, Namibia, Kenya, Mali, and South Africa.
He pointed out the adoption of the new monthly classification system, which is based on calculating the results of the teams in the last two editions of the World Cup and the last edition of the continental championships, praising the qualitative leap and distinguished position achieved by the UAE national team thanks to the efforts made by His Excellency Saeed Al-Ajel, President of the Emirates Sports for All Federation, President of the Arab Federation, and Sarmad Al-Zadjali, Executive Director of the Mini-Football Committee and the Emirati work team.
Regarding sports investment, the Vice President of the International Federation said that the African Confederation will organize next June the African Cup draw ceremony in Guinea, and in conjunction with it, the Sports Investment Forum will be launched in the city of Conakry in the presence of major international companies interested in investing in the mini-football sector, adding that a series of surprises are currently being prepared at the Arab level, especially after new Arab countries join the Arab Federation to ensure the advancement and development of the game in all Arab countries.
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