The Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Paulos Weldehaimanot Andemariam congratulated Gianni Infantino upon making 10 years as President of FIFA.

In his message Andemariam, also President of the Eritrea National Football Federation (ENFF) credited Infantino for playing a pivotal role in developing Football further since he became President 10 years ago.

“On the occasion of your 10th anniversary as President of FIFA, please accept my heartfelt congratulations and deepest appreciation for a decade of visionary leadership and transformative progress,” said Andemariam.

The CECAFA President said over the past ten years, Infantino’s unwavering commitment to global football development has left an indelible mark on the beautiful game. “Under your stewardship, FIFA has expanded its reach, modernized its governance, and championed initiatives that have empowered football communities across all continents-from growing the Women’s World Cup to advancing youth development and infrastructure in emerging football nations,” he added.

While thanking Infantino for his passionate service to the world’s most beloved sport, Andermariam also reminded the FIFA President that his leadership has inspired a new era for football-one defined by unity, opportunity, and boundless potential.

Infantino was first elected to the FIFA presidency on February 26^th, 2016. He was re-elected on June 5^th, 2019 and again on March 16^th, 2023.

The World Football body, FIFA has commended the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) for the steady progress they are making in developing Women’s Football.

With support from FIFA, Uganda launched the FUFA Women’s Super League Commercial Strategy on February 10th. Uganda and Romania were selected by FIFA to pilot the programme.

Solomon Mudege, the FIFA Head of Development Programmes for Africa commended the Uganda FA for the progress made and the launch of the Women Super League Commercial Strategy which will be a game changer.

“FIFA has been inspired and impressed by FUFA’s activities. There has been significant progress in terms of the infrastructural growth and institutional transformation,” said Mudege.

He made it clear that FIFA is proud of what FUFA has achieved and in developing Football and women’s Football in particular.

“FUFA and its stakeholders should be proud of what has been achieved. We now look forward to this next challenge of implementing the Super League commercial strategy and ensuring it benefits all women football players in Uganda,’ he stated,” added Mudege.

Moses Hassim Magogo, the FUFA President thanked FIFA for selecting Uganda to carry out the pilot study together with Romania.

“This shows the confidence FIFA has in what we have done here. We want to thank FIFA and convey our appreciation to President Gianni Infantino on behalf of the football people of Uganda,” he added.

Magogo explained that FUFA’s strategic approach, supported by government backing, improved commercial capacity and increased FIFA resources, has enabled the Federation to strengthen programmes and professionalise competitions.

He made it clear that as a Federation, they have been strategic in the way they do things. “Sometimes it is a bit slow, but that is the right way that has given us some of the success levels we have in this country,” added Magogo.

FIFA Lead for Women’s Football Development – Africa, Doreen Nabwire, Abigail Lemma Hailemichael, the FIFA Memebr Association Development Manager for UNAF & CECAFA, and CECAFA Interim Executive Director, Jean Sseninde also attended the launch.

The World Football governing body FIFA has included Kenya and Tanzania to be part of the 2026 FIFA Series to take place March 23-31^st in Rwanda.

On Monday FIFA announced the 48 teams to take part in the 2026 FIFA Series during the during international match windows in March and April.

The 2026 edition will feature 48 teams divided into 12 groups, including nine men’s groups and three women’s groups, with all six continental confederations represented.

For the first time Rwanda will host the Series and have been placed in Group A alongside Estonia, Grenada and Kenya. Group B will have another team from the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA), Tanzania together with Aruba, Liechtenstein and Maco of China.

Among the men’s teams taking part in the FIFA Series 2026, five teams, namely Australia, Cape Verde, Curacao, New Zealand and Uzbekistan, have qualified for this year’s FIFA World Cup.

The men’s groups will be hosted by Australia, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Rwanda and Uzbekistan, with Rwanda hosting two groups.

The women’s groups will be held in Brazil, Cote d’Ivoire and Thailand.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President, Hussein Mohammed Rashid said he was very happy about the development because Harambee Stars will get the opportunity to play more International matches.

“It is exactly the kind of exposure and competition our national team needs as we continue to grow and raise our standards,” added the FKF President.

Group A: Estonia, Grenada, Kenya, Rwanda

Group B: Aruba, Liechtenstein, Macao of China, Tanzania

The CECAFA Zone will be represented by one match official Stephen Yiembe at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

Yiembe, from Kenya will be one of the assistant referees together with 116 other match officials who will to officiate at the inaugural competition slated for June 14 to July 13^th in the United States of America.

FIFA has selected 35 referees, 58 assistant referees and 24 VAR officials from around the world to officiate at the competition which will bring together the top teams in the world including Real Madrid and Manchester City among others.

The other African referees selected include; Ghorbal Mustapha (Algeria), Ibrahim Mutaz (Libya) and Sy Issa (Senegal). The assistant referees include; Bangoura Nouha (Senegal), Camara Djibril (Senegal), Gourari Mokrane (Algeria) and Zerhouni Abbes Akram (Algeria), while the only VAR official is Ashour Mahmoud from Egypt.

Yiembe has also officiated several top matches including at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, the 2023 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in the Ivory Coast, and the 2023 TotalEnergies U-23 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The competition to attract 32 teams will be played across 11 cities. Africa will be represented by Al Ahly (Egypt), Wydad AC (Morocco), Esperance de Tunis (Tunisia) and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns.