FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with representatives from the Cabo Verdean Football Association (FCF) at FIFA’s Paris office on Tuesday 22 March. Among the FCF delegation was its president, Mario Semedo. FIFA opened an office in the French capital in 2021 with the aim, in particular, of strengthening its relations with its member associations. World football’s governing body has been working closely with the FCF for some time now, not least within the framework of the FIFA Forward Programme, which has helped the FCF improve football facilities nationwide. The work is far from over, however. The renovation of the Aderito Sena Stadium on the island of Sao Vicente was high on the meeting’s agenda. The recipient of FIFA Forward funding, the venue recently hosted its first international match in 20 years.

Thanks to the presence of the Cabo Verde Minister for Youth Affairs and Sport Carlos Manuel Do Canto Monteiro, the contribution of the Cabo Verdean government in the development of the game was discussed, as were the many challenges that face the island nation, particularly those relating to transport and its cost. The stakeholders also discussed the preparation, roll-out, monitoring and impact of all FIFA Forward projects in Cabo Verde in detail. “I would like to thank President Infantino and FIFA for their support in developing football in Cape Verde through the Forward programme,” said Mario Semedo. “Funding for our national teams is important, especially as we have our sights set on qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations.” The day after the meeting, and as part of their preparations for the qualifiers for next year’s continental finals, the Blue Sharks took on Guadeloupe in a friendly in the city of Orleans, south of Paris.