South Africa has taken a decisive step toward strengthening football development, youth participation and regional cooperation with the signing of a cooperation agreement that will establish a fully funded FIFA Regional Development Office in Johannesburg.
The agreement, signed by Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie and FIFA President Gianni Infantino on the sidelines of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Rabat, positions South Africa as a strategic hub for football development across Southern Africa.
Crucially, the agreement places no financial burden on the South African taxpayer. FIFA will fund and staff the Regional Office in full, covering all operational, personnel and programme delivery costs. The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) will provide enabling support, including visa facilitation, customs assistance and coordination with relevant authorities.
For communities, federations and young players across the region, the office is expected to translate into faster access to coaching support, technical programmes, referee development, administrative capacity-building and development funding.
Speaking from Rabat, Minister McKenzie said the agreement represents a practical investment in African football ecosystems rather than a symbolic partnership.
“This is about bringing development closer to where it is needed,” he said. “By hosting this office, we are helping ensure that football development, technical expertise and administrative support are accessible to federations across Southern Africa.”
While hosted in South Africa, the Regional Office will serve neighbouring countries, strengthening regional collaboration and reducing administrative barriers that often delay development programmes.
The agreement aligns with FIFA’s broader development strategy under the FIFA Forward programme, which has invested more than USD 1 billion (approximately R16.5 billion) into African football since 2016. These investments have supported youth football, women’s leagues, infrastructure development and improved governance across national associations.
For South Africa, the local presence of a FIFA Regional Office is expected to unlock tangible social and economic benefits. These include expanded community sport participation, stronger youth development pathways, skills transfer in coaching and officiating, and new employment opportunities within the sports ecosystem.
Minister McKenzie also highlighted the broader continental context, commending Morocco and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for delivering a high-standard AFCON tournament that showcased Africa’s growing capability to host major global events.
“As Africa expands its footprint on the world football stage, including through the upcoming 2030 FIFA World Cup matches in Morocco, this agreement reinforces South Africa’s role as a committed partner in advancing inclusive, sustainable football development,” he said.
By hosting the FIFA Regional Development Office, South Africa is not only strengthening its own football infrastructure, but contributing to a regional model that prioritises youth empowerment, institutional capacity and long-term social impact through sport.
