FIFA and CAF Commit Support as Sudanese Football Resumes| Sudanow Magazine

Khartoum, (Sudanow) — FIFA President Gianni Infantino has pledged full support to the Sudanese Football Association (SFA), promising to provide the necessary resources to restore complete stability to football across the nation.

Infantino’s commitment came during a meeting with Dr. Mutasim Gaafar, SFA President and Executive Committee member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), held on the sidelines of the FIFA World Cup final in the United States.
The FIFA head commended the SFA’s significant efforts to bring domestic football back to Khartoum after a three-year hiatus. He expressed hope that the successful staging of the Khartoum Elite League would serve as a beacon of hope for sustained athletic activity, noting the SFA's return to its central offices in the capital to organize domestic competitions after an extended absence.
Pledges to Rebuild Infrastructure
The productive dialogue between Infantino and Dr. Gaafar brought encouraging news for Sudanese sports. Infantino promised FIFA funding for infrastructure projects and assured support as the SFA tackles the challenge of upgrading local venues to meet FIFA international specifications.
Moving Beyond "Virtual Home Venues"
The SFA is relying heavily on FIFA’s promised support to rehabilitate facilities destroyed by war. Establishing international-grade stadiums is crucial if Sudan’s national teams and clubs are to host home fixtures locally, ending years of relying on neutral "virtual home venues" abroad that have severely strained team resources.
FIFA Satisfied with SFA Progress
FIFA leadership has expressed confidence in the SFA's current administration. Under Dr. Gaafar’s direction, Sudanese national teams and clubs maintained their international appearances without interruption despite severe nationwide crises. The SFA further demonstrated its operational resilience by hosting the Khartoum Elite League, a tournament that drew passionate crowds back to the stands. Given these achievements, global football's governing body is expected to deliver on its promises to sustain this momentum.
Gaafar Optimistic Following FIFA Talks
Dr. Mutasim Gaafar reaffirmed that his discussions with Infantino during the 2026 World Cup finals were highly positive, focusing heavily on strategic avenues to develop Sudanese football under extraordinary circumstances.
"We found deep interest from Mr. Infantino regarding Sudanese affairs and a clear commitment to sustaining FIFA's developmental support," Dr. Gaafar stated. "During our meeting, we outlined the current operational hurdles facing domestic football. The international leadership expressed full understanding and reaffirmed its commitment to standing alongside Sudan during this rebuilding phase."
Dr. Gaafar emphasized that participating in major international summits offers invaluable opportunities to strengthen ties with regional and global football governing bodies. He concluded that the SFA aims to translate these high-level discussions into tangible progress on the pitch, in local competitions, and across stadium infrastructure.
FIFA’s Credibility Under Scrutiny
This is not the first time FIFA's leadership has promised infrastructure aid to Sudan; eight years ago, Infantino publicly pledged from inside Khartoum Stadium that FIFA would sponsor the venue's complete overhaul.
With that initiative long delayed, these fresh commitments put FIFA's credibility to the test. Sudanese sports circles eagerly await action, particularly as crucial international fixtures loom for both the national team and CAF club representatives.

CAF Champions African Football Rights
At the continental level, CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe emphasized during a recent press conference that every national team and club deserves the right to play home matches on their own soil before local supporters.

Dr. Motsepe stated that each of CAF’s 54 member associations must possess at least one stadium meeting joint CAF-FIFA standards. He added that CAF will actively foster public-private partnerships between governments, national associations, and investors to drive football development across Africa.
Upcoming International Fixtures
CAF recently announced the qualification schedule for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, co-hosted by Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. Sudan’s national team kicks off its qualification campaign on September 23, 2026, against Ethiopia.
At the club level:
• Al-Hilal is preparing in Rwanda to compete in the CECAFA Club Championship, followed by participation in the West African Football Union (WAFU) Club Championship in Guinea (August 14–20, 2026), ahead of their continental campaign.

• Al-Merrikh has initiated a slate of friendly matches at its training camp in Kigali under Serbian head coach Darko Nović to prepare for upcoming CAF fixtures.

• Hilal Alsahil and Al-Ahly Wad Madani are undergoing preparations for their upcoming CAF Confederation Cup appearances.
Reclaiming Home-Field Advantage
Competing continuously on neutral ground has significantly disadvantaged Sudanese clubs and national teams, depriving them of crucial home support while handing distinct tactical edges to opponents. Security concerns previously forced teams into neutral venues; now that domestic football has resumed, the primary hurdle remains the availability of certified international stadiums.
Whether FIFA fulfills its pledges to restore Sudanese grounds—and whether CAF successfully expands its development partnerships—will determine if international football can finally return home to Sudan.

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