The President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), Babadi Kamara, and the association’s General Secretary, Mohamed Benson Bawoh, joined football administrators, member associations, and key stakeholders from across the globe at the FIFA Executive Summit 2026 held in Miami, United States.
The summit provided an opportunity for football leaders to assess the current state of the global game while discussing strategic priorities and financial frameworks aimed at accelerating football development at all levels.
A major highlight of the gathering was FIFAโs announcement of the transition from the FIFA Forward 3.0 programme to FIFA Forward 4.0. Delegates were informed that the new funding cycle, scheduled to run from 2027 to 2031, will feature a 20 percent increase in financial support for member associations worldwide.
Introduced under the leadership of FIFA President Gianni Infantino in 2016, the FIFA Forward programme has played a pivotal role in supporting football development through investments in infrastructure, competitions, capacity building, and operational growth for national football associations. The current FIFA Forward 3.0 cycle is expected to conclude at the end of 2026.
The summit also unveiled plans for the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup/Festival, which is scheduled to take place in October 2026. The competition will be open to all FIFA member associations and is intended to provide a global platform for youth talent identification and development while exposing young players to international competition at an early stage.
Another key topic discussed was FIFAโs partnership with DAZN, which will become the official streaming partner for FIFA+. The collaboration is expected to expand the global reach of FIFA content and improve access for football fans and stakeholders around the world.
The participation of the SLFA delegation underscored Sierra Leoneโs continued engagement in international football governance and development initiatives.
Their presence at the summit reflects the associationโs commitment to leveraging global opportunities, increased funding mechanisms, and development programmes to strengthen football infrastructure, grassroots development, and competitive pathways across Sierra Leone.
