Djiboutian Football Association (FDF) President Souleiman Hassan Waberi has stressed the need for collaboration on a domestic and continental level following discussions with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Paris.

“We discussed ways to continue to develop the game, the steps to be taken and, in particular, about the state of football in Djibouti, as well as raising our concerns,” said the FDF President who previously served as a FIFA instructor. “We work hand in hand to develop football across the African continent, globally and also in Djibouti.” The FDF President reserved special mention for the support offered by FIFA through its development programmes and more recently, the launch of the Football for Schools programme in Djibouti in May 2022.

“I’m grateful to FIFA because it’s thanks to its support that things work properly domestically and that as a federation we are able to participate in all competitions and football is developing in our country,” he added, while also citing the recent improvement to Djibouti’s position in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking after the Shoremen of the Red Sea, reached the second round of the CAF preliminary competition. President Waberi referenced the importance that the strides taken by the men’s senior national team now be reproduced across all levels of the game in his native country. “Our aim is to give young boys and girls a chance,” he said. "I spoke to President Infantino about the ways in which FIFA can help and support us in developing youth and women’s football, and how FIFA can also assist with building the necessary infrastructure, especially as the current situation hinders our development. We require top quality pitches, as well as training pitches for our club sides. Those are the areas in which we asked FIFA for its support.”