UEFA and Concacaf strengthen cooperation with Memorandum of Understanding

The MoU reflects UEFA and Concacaf's shared values and principles, recognising football as a powerful vehicle for inclusion, participation and social cohesion, and reinforces both organisations’ commitment to solidarity, integrity and openness.

Under the agreement, UEFA and Concacaf will collaborate across a range of priority areas, focusing on knowledge exchange and the creation of development opportunities for players, coaches, match officials and administrators.

"Europe and the Concacaf region of North and Central America and the Caribbean are home to some of the world’s most diverse football cultures – from deep‑rooted traditions to fast‑growing, innovative environments," said UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin. "This Memorandum of Understanding reflects our belief that by connecting these experiences, we can strengthen development pathways, raise standards and offer new opportunities throughout the game. UEFA is proud to work with Concacaf to share expertise and ensure football continues to unite its communities and inspire progress well beyond the pitch."

Presidents Čeferin and Montagliani shake hands after signing the new Memorandum of UnderstandingFIFA via Getty Images

Concacaf president Victor Montagliani added: "Football is at its best when it brings people together, creates opportunity, and helps our global communities grow. We are proud to partner with UEFA and look forward to working closely together in the years ahead, sharing knowledge, opening doors, and creating meaningful development opportunities for players, coaches, referees, and administrators across our region and in Europe. Concacaf has made tremendous progress over the past decade, and partnerships like this help us continue raising standards while staying true to our responsibility to serve the game at every level."

The MoU includes the following key areas of cooperation:

• Youth football development, with UEFA inviting boys’ and girls’ teams from Concacaf member associations to participate in selected UEFA youth tournaments, providing high‑quality competitive environments and opportunities for intercultural exchange
• Knowledge exchange and professional development, including reciprocal observer programmes at club finals and national team tournaments, participation in conferences and events
• Club licensing, to enhance the implementation of licensing standards across each confederation’s member associations in alignment with recognised international practices
• Football development initiatives, delivered through the UEFA Together programme, supporting long‑term, tailored projects and partnerships between member associations of both confederations
• Coaching matters, including cooperation on coach education, the sharing of best practices and exploratory discussions on the potential future mutual recognition of coaching qualifications
• Refereeing development, with opportunities for match officials and referee instructors to take part in youth tournaments, courses and technical programmes organised by each confederation, as well as participation of FIFA‑listed referees in each other’s competitions
• Strategic dialogue and coordination, with plans for regular high‑level meetings and joint progress reporting to ensure alignment and effective implementation of the MoU

Representatives of UEFA and Concacaf together in Vancouver, CanadaFIFA via Getty Images

The agreement will run until 30 June 2031 and provides a flexible framework allowing the two confederations to explore additional initiatives and projects by mutual agreement.

Through this agreement, UEFA and Concacaf reaffirm our shared belief in football as a platform for opportunity, education and international understanding, with an ambition to work together for the benefit of the game and its wider positive impact on society.