Sportsupdated 49m ago2 min read
Archive photo · 4 November 2015CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe Says Investment Will Transform African Football in Doha, Qatar
3 Other2 West Asian2 Western MainstreamPhoto: Reem Al-Kashif, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cropped for layout
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African football undergoing structural transformations boosting commercial value and international investment appeal Substantial investments will create jobs and develop infrastructure, including women's football
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Doha event and football
CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe joined Global Perspectives: In Doha in Qatar to discuss the future of football and the transformation of African football, its growing commercial value, and the continent's increasing influence on the global sporting stage. Motsepe told the session that substantial investment in African football would create job opportunities and support infrastructure development, women's football, and youth sports academies. Motsepe said any football venture must be sustainable and viable for the future, and he pointed to the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco as an example.
Motsepe said the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco was followed by 3.5 billion people across 180 countries and generated 6.2 billion digital views. Motsepe also praised the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 for its legacy, international engagement and viewership, and its positive effect on the image of football and sport more broadly.
Governance, ethics, and timing
Motsepe emphasized that governance and ethics in football were “fundamental pillars for a successful future,” during a panel discussion at Global Perspectives: In Doha. Motsepe said there was broad debate among African federations on whether the Africa Cup of Nations should be held every four years or remain on its current biennial schedule. Motsepe said he recently announced a study and review of the matter and noted that there was popular support for keeping the two-year cycle.
Motsepe said a final decision would be announced soon in the interests of African football. Motsepe also addressed shifts in the sport, including the expansion of the 2026 World Cup to 48 teams and the use of the sustainable legacy left by the World Cup in Qatar.
Global Perspectives and speakers
CNN’s Global Perspectives: In Doha brought together government officials, regional decision-makers, and international executives at the Rosewood Doha, with organizers describing the event as exploring “The Invisible World.” Ellana Lee said the forum comes at a critical time for international relations and described Global Perspectives as “a place where the ideas that are shaping our world can be voiced and shared.” The speaker line-up included Qatar Museums Chairperson Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, and it also included Dr Mohamed Farid Saleh, Wamkele Mene, and Lei Zhang.
The event’s panel sessions covered artificial intelligence, economic policy, trade, energy transition, and culture, and the discussions were moderated by senior broadcast journalists including Christiane Amanpour and Wolf Blitzer. Media City Qatar CEO Hamad Omar al-Mannai said the event aimed to bring global voices to the region and contribute to elevating the region’s voices into these conversations through other CNN platforms.