Malawi has been chosen as one of five nations for the FIFA Unite Programme
Malawi has been chosen as one of five countries globally to take part in the FIFA Unite Programme, a distinguished initiative stemming from FIFA’s 211 Member Associations.
Malawi is among the five Member Associations worldwide chosen for the programme, alongside Solomon Islands, Bulgaria, Jordan, and Honduras. The 2026 edition of the programme was officially launched in 2023.
Mayamiko Kafwamba, the FAM Marketing Manager, is one of the five representatives chosen from the participating nations. The FIFA Unite Programme aims to support specific development projects, with Malawi poised to gain directly from investments in women’s football and beach soccer.
These two areas have been recognized as essential factors for boosting participation, engaging youth, and fostering long-term growth of the game.
A delegation from FAM visited FIFA Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, as part of the selection process, where they delivered a comprehensive presentation to senior FIFA officials. The presentation detailed Malawi’s development roadmap, emphasizing the enhancement of women’s football structures, the improvement of grassroots pathways, and the establishment of beach soccer as both a competitive discipline and a community-oriented sport.
Capitalizing on this momentum, the FAM delegation moved on to the FIFA Member Association Office in Paris, France, for additional discussions focused on implementation strategies, partnerships, and long-term impact.
Kafwamba emphasized the importance of the programme, noting that Malawi will benefit not only from direct FIFA support but also from the exchange of knowledge among the five participating nations.
The Unite Programme aims to enhance the Malawi Football Association by providing focused assistance in women’s football and beach soccer. “Another important aspect of the programme is that it brings together five countries to share ideas and best practices,” said Kafwamba.
He noted that the collaborative aspect of the programme will introduce Malawi to innovative methods being utilized in other regions. “For instance, Malawi will draw insights from the Solomon Islands regarding E-football as a means of generating revenue,” he stated.
Kafwamba emphasized that this exchange of knowledge will enable FAM to discover new commercial opportunities, diversify its revenue streams, and modernize football administration in accordance with global trends.
Through the programme, FAM seeks to guarantee that the advantages reach beyond the pitch, enhancing institutional capacity and aiding in the long-term transformation of football in Malawi.
