By Macdella Eyong Bessong
Journalist kick442.com – Cameroon
In a bit to Promote youth football and Fulfill a key re-election promise to revitalize the nation’s football foundations, the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) has officially announced the launch of the FIFA-TDS U-17 Elite Youth Championship.
The event which took place at the CAF Excellence Centre in Mbankomo drew over fifty prominent academy owners from all ten regions of the country, signaling a unified national commitment to grooming the next generation of football talentbans was led by Franck Happi, Advisor to FECAFOOT President, and National Technical Director Engelbert Mbarga.
The competition is designed with a structured, professional format supervised by the Youth Football League with a total of 54 teams expected to participate and will be categorized into four strategic geographic zones which are Center-South-East, Littoral-South West, West-North West, and Adamawa-North-Far North.
Following the zonal qualifiers, the tournament will transition into a national phase, reaching its peak with a highly anticipated grand final scheduled for May 2026 and this decentralized approach ensures that talent from every corner of the country has a pathway to the top.
The academy promoters present at the launch expressed overwhelming support, noting that such a structured league is essential for the long-term growth and international competitiveness of Cameroon football.
This initiative, supported by the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS), serves a dual purpose: professionalizing academy structures and creating a sustainable talent pipeline for Cameroon’s national teams.
By providing young athletes with a consistent, high-level competitive environment, FECAFOOT aims to bridge the gap between amateur youth play and professional excellence.
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