Governing Bodies
QATAR, FIFA MARK 1,000 DAYS TO WORLD CUP 2022
In exactly 1,000 days, the world will gather again for the biggest football show on Earth – in the most unique setting yet.
The compact nature of the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East and Arab world will ensure that fans of all 32 teams are always within reach of the eight stunning stadiums, the FIFA Fan Fest, some world-class museums, Qatar’s desert dunes and, most importantly, each other.
While the eagerly awaited tournament might still feel a long way off for fans, 136 out of 900 qualifying matches have already been played, and the tournament infrastructure can be seen rapidly evolving in and around Doha.
Two stadiums are fully operational: Khalifa International and Al Janoub. Three more venues – Education City, Al Rayyan and Al Bayt – will be inaugurated this year, with the remaining three set to be launched well in advance of the tournament.
Brand-new metro lines have also been delivered and successfully transported over 50,000 fans across three games during the FIFA Club World Cup.
New roads and training sites are being completed, the airport expanded and permanent and temporary accommodation will be delivered with the aim of coping with demand while also considering post-event use.
“With 1,000 days to go, Qatar stands where no other host did before. Qatar wants to amaze the world and is on track to achieve it,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
“The FIFA World Cup 2022 will be a breakthrough from a social and cultural perspective. It will open the doors of this football-mad region, offering a new perspective to locals and foreigners, bringing people together and serving as a tool for common understanding.”
H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), added: “Ten years of our lives, day in, day out, have been dedicated to this tournament.
“Personally, I can only look forward with excitement, as well as some nerves, but more importantly, conviction that this will be – without a doubt – the best tournament. We are determined to ensure that the first World Cup in the Middle East and Arab world will set a benchmark in the history of hosting major sporting events.”
When it comes to tournament preparations, Qatar and FIFA have been scrutinising the lessons learned from the FIFA Club World Cup, held in December last year, and which will return to the country later in 2020.
According to the local authorities, the tournament brought over 50,000 international fans into the country. The event’s official fan zone welcomed 43,000 visitors over the course of the tournament.
“Test events give us a great opportunity to assess new stadiums, work with authorities, integrate and train the teams.
“That all provides us with an important insight into planning for the World Cup. And as we move closer, planning becomes more operational. The joint venture team we have in Qatar is increasing in size, several teams have already visited Qatar to inspect training facilities, and we are bringing stakeholders closer – our Commercial Affiliates were in Doha last year, and the main broadcasters earlier this year,” said FIFA’s Chief Tournaments & Events Officer and FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC (Q22) Managing Director, Colin Smith.
“With all our infrastructure projects on track, one of our key priorities now is to shape the fan experience in 2022.
“We are determined to host a tournament which is welcoming to all and family-friendly, and one that shows our country and region in the most positive light.
“We learned a lot from the Club World Cup across every functional area and will apply the lessons learned in the 2020 edition and in our 2022 planning,” assured the Chief Executive Officer of the Q22, Nasser Al Khater.
Governing Bodies
CAF President to Address Kenya 2027 AFCON Concerns, Senegal Trophy Row, Future Hosts and New Secretary General
By Kunle Solaja
The President of the Confederation of African Football is set for a potentially far-reaching press conference on Sunday evening, with four key issues expected to dominate discussions and shape the immediate future of African football.
At the top of the agenda will be the announcement of Nigeria’s Samson Adamu as the acting general secretary of CAF. He will thus be the highest-ranking Nigerian football official.
The next may be the growing concerns over Kenya’s readiness to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, the controversy surrounding Senegal’s continued public display of the AFCON trophy, and the anticipated announcement of hosts for the 2028, 2032 and 2036 editions of the tournament.
The briefing is widely viewed as a critical moment for CAF’s leadership, coming at a time when governance, credibility and long-term planning are under intense scrutiny.
Particular attention is expected to be paid to Kenya, one of the three co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON alongside Uganda and Tanzania. CAF is believed to have raised red flags over the pace of infrastructure development in the country, especially regarding stadium upgrades, training facilities and transport networks.
Recent inspection findings have reportedly pointed to gaps that could jeopardise project timelines if not urgently addressed. CAF may, therefore, outline stricter compliance benchmarks or timelines for Kenya to meet, with the possibility of sanctions or redistribution of hosting rights within the East African bloc if progress remains unsatisfactory.
The CAF President is likely to reaffirm the body’s commitment to delivering a world-class tournament while emphasising that hosting comes with non-negotiable standards.
Another sensitive issue expected to feature prominently is the situation involving Senegal, whose national team has continued to parade the AFCON trophy despite reports that they have been stripped of the title.
The development has sparked debate across the continent, raising questions about adherence to CAF’s disciplinary processes and the authority of its decisions. Observers say the episode risks setting an uneasy precedent if not decisively handled.
CAF is expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding the reported withdrawal of Senegal’s title, as well as outline any disciplinary or corrective measures deemed necessary.
Beyond the immediate controversies, attention will also turn to the future as CAF is expected to announce host nations for the 2028, 2032 and 2036 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
Such decisions are typically strategic, reflecting CAF’s broader vision of expanding football development across different regions of the continent. Sunday’s announcement could, therefore, reshape the geographical rotation and long-term planning of Africa’s flagship competition.
In addition, the CAF President is anticipated to unveil Samson Adamu as the acting General Secretary, marking a key administrative transition within the organisation. The role is central to CAF’s day-to-day operations and policy implementation, making the appointment a significant indicator of the leadership’s direction in the coming years.
Sunday’s press conference is shaping up as more than a routine engagement with the media. It represents a defining moment for CAF as it seeks to assert authority, address contentious issues and chart a clear path forward.
Stakeholders across African football will be watching closely for firm decisions and clear messaging that could influence not only the organisation of upcoming tournaments but also the credibility and governance standards of the game on the continent.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria has recorded another major milestone in continental football administration with the appointment of Samson Adamu as Acting General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football.
Sports Village Square reports that Adamu, whose father, Dr Amos Adamu, was also a seasoned football administrator, has become the eighth person to hold the seat at the confederation, which clocked 69 on February 8 last year.
Top sources within CAF confirmed on Sunday that Adamu’s appointment takes immediate effect following the exit of Véron Mosengo-Omba, who stepped down from the position after mounting pressure and internal transition discussions.
Mosengo-Omba, a Congolese lawyer, had been appointed in March 2021, succeeding Abdelmounaim Bah, and brought with him experience from FIFA, where he served as Chief Member Associations Officer.
Adamu’s elevation is widely seen as a recognition of his growing influence and performance within CAF since joining the organisation in 2018 as Director of Competitions.
In that role, he replaced Mosengo-Omba and quickly established himself as a key figure in the organisation of major continental tournaments.
For Nigeria, his appointment represents a significant boost in representation at the highest administrative level of African football, reinforcing the country’s longstanding contribution to the development of the game on the continent.
Before his move to CAF, Adamu had built a strong reputation as an innovator in sports management, notably as the initiator and Chief Executive Officer of the internationally acclaimed Copa Lagos Futsal tournament, which attracted global attention and participation.
Since arriving at CAF, he has earned commendation for his efficiency and visibility, playing central roles in competition management and strategic coordination. His consistent performance reportedly made him a natural choice when discussions began over a replacement for Mosengo-Omba.
Although his current role is in an acting capacity, observers believe Adamu’s appointment could pave the way for a substantive position, depending on ongoing administrative decisions within CAF.
His emergence underscores Nigeria’s continued relevance not only on the pitch but also in the corridors of power in African football governance.
Past and Recent General Secretaries of CAF (in reverse chronological order):
- Samson Adamu (Nigeria): Appointed Acting General Secretary on March 29, 2026.
- Véron Mosengo-Omba (DR Congo/Switzerland): Served from March 2021 to March 2026.
- Abdelmounaim Bah (Morocco): Served as Acting General Secretary from March 2020 to March 2021.
- Mouad Hajji (Morocco): Served April 2019 to March 2020.
- Amr Fahmy (Egypt): Served from 2017 to 2019.
- Hicham El Amrani (Morocco): Served from 2010 to 2017.
- Mustapha Fahmy (Egypt): Served for nearly 30 years (starting in 1961).
- Youssef Mohamad (Sudan): Served as the first General Secretary upon CAF’s foundation in 1957.
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Governing Bodies
FIFA opens disciplinary proceedings against Congo officials over financial misconduct
FIFA’s ethics committee launched disciplinary proceedings against three senior Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT) officials on Wednesday, including president Jean-Guy Mayolas, over allegations of financial misconduct.
Mayolas, his wife and his son were sentenced to life in prison earlier this month after a criminal court in the Congolese capital, Brazzaville, convicted them of embezzling $1.1 million in FIFA funds. Media reports said their whereabouts were not known , and they were tried in absentia.
FECOFOOT general secretary Wantete Badji and treasurer Raoul Kanda are also subject to the disciplinary proceedings, FIFA said. Badji and Kanda were sentenced to five years each in prison by the court in Brazzaville for related charges.
“These proceedings follow the receipt of information and documents during an audit,” FIFA said in a statement.
-Reuters
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