Promoting Youth Football: FECAFOOT Multiplies Mechanisms

It is no secret that youth football in Cameroon has been struggling for years. Aware of this crisis, FECAFOOT is intensifying efforts to revive the elite youth championship and build a robust database for detecting and nurturing young talents. In a circular made public on April 13, 2026 (dated April 2, 2026), the federation announced that granting national licenses to professional clubs will hinge on registering at least one youth team in the elite youth championship. This additional requirement will roll out progressively: Elite One clubs must comply from the 2026-2027 season, while MTN Elite Two clubs follow in 2027-2028. This initiative aligns with FECAFOOT's broader policy of modernizing and structuring national football.

Requiring elite clubs to create youth teams is not entirely new given that it is one of the criteria that has to be fulfilled by professional clubs. However, making it a strict condition for obtaining national licenses has been widely praised as a pathway to true professionalism. This new development builds on several ongoing initiatives fulfilling FECAFOOT President Samuel Eto'o's pledge during his re-election speech to strengthen the nation's football foundations.

On February 10, 2026, the federation launched the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS) U-17 Elite Youth Championship, a high-profile tournament designed to spotlight emerging talents. To sustain and elevate this competition in future seasons, FECAFOOT needs well-organized U-17 clubs, and that is precisely why...