The FIFA Foundation has opened its inaugural Football 4 Schools project in Africa with children in Mauritania the first on the continent to benefit from the programme that puts football at the heart of social development.

The project encourages youth participation in football through structured sessions, using football games to convey educational messages and encouraging children to take responsibility for their decisions in a safe and supportive environment. The coach educators can adjust the difficulty level of exercises according to the needs of each group, making Football 4 Schools a very accessible project for all concerned.

“This is a landmark day for our sport in this country and on this continent and it is a pleasure to be here,” FIFA Foundation CEO Youri Djorkaeff said. “Football 4 Schools embodies FIFA’s vision for football and that of our President, Gianni Infantino. "Whilst it reflects our global view, it also shows us that we need to vary teaching methods to respond to the fact that every group and every individual has different needs.”

The maiden programme in Africa comes hot on the heels of the first Football 4 Schools project in South America, which was opened in Chile in November 2021. In keeping with the spirit of collaboration espoused through Football 4 Schools, the project was supported by the Mauritanian Football Federation (FFRIM) and its President Ahmed Yahya. “For the heart to beat through football, then football can beat from the heart of everything that we do,” continued Mr Djorkaeff. “Through the smiles of the children and the dedication of the coach educators who will deliver Football 4 Schools, we can witness a very bright future ahead in Mauritania.”