Fulfilling a key re-election promise to revitalize the nation’s football foundations, the President of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) has officially made possible the launch of the FIFA-TDS U-17 Elite Youth Championship.
The project was unveiled during a high-profile ceremony that took place at the CAF Excellence Centre in Mbankomo, led by Franck Happi, Advisor to the FECAFOOT President, and National Technical Director Engelbert Mbarga. The event 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 talent.
The competition is designed with a structured, professional format supervised by the Youth Football League. A total of 54 teams will participate, categorized into four strategic geographic zones: Center-South-East, Littoral-South West, West-North West, and Adamawa-North-Far North. This decentralized approach ensures that talent from every corner of the country has a pathway to the top. 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.
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.
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 Cameroonian football.
Ultimately, the FIFA-TDS U-17 Championship represents a shift toward data-driven and merit-based player development. With the participation of legends and administrators like Michel Kaham and Jacques Mahi, the federation is putting its most experienced hands at the wheel of youth development.
As the teams prepare for the kickoff, the focus remains on identifying the “diamonds in the rough” who will eventually wear the Indomitable Lions’ jersey, ensuring that Cameroon remains a dominant force on the continental and global stage.
