The African Union Sports Council (AUSC) participated in the 2026 FIFA Safeguarding Summit, held at the Home of FIFA in Zürich, Switzerland. The two-day gathering convened global safeguarding leaders, technical experts, and newly qualified FIFA Guardians from football associations across the world, reaffirming a shared commitment to strengthening protection systems within the global football ecosystem.
This year’s Summit placed a strong emphasis on reinforcing the “duty of care” owed to children and all individuals involved in football. Delegates highlighted the critical importance of building safe, inclusive, and abuse-free football and, more broadly, sporting environments. They stressed that safeguarding is essential for the integrity, growth, and sustainability of the game at all levels from community football to international competitions.
Celebrating New FIFA Guardians
A major highlight of the Summit was the graduation ceremony for 123 safeguarding officers representing 100 FIFA Member Associations. These graduates successfully completed the FIFA Guardians Safeguarding in Football Diploma. The programme equips safeguarding focal points with the advanced skills needed to strengthen national and regional safeguarding frameworks within football institutions globally, and seeks to professionalise the role of safeguarding focal points in football.
Throughout the Summit, participants engaged in a series of insightful panel discussions examining leadership roles in strengthening safeguarding culture, the development and effective implementation of safeguarding policies, and the importance of collaboration across international, regional, and local football structures.
Representing the African Union Sports Council, Dr. Decius Hikabwa Chipande, Head of the AUSC, contributed to a panel session on building national and regional safeguarding networks. The panel underscored the importance of partnerships, noting that safeguarding in sport is a cross-cutting responsibility that cannot be fulfilled by one entity alone.
Strategic Bilateral Meeting on the Sidelines of the Summit
A significant engagement took place on the sidelines of the Summit between the African Union, the Council of Europe, and FIFA. During this meeting, FIFA representatives delivered presentations on several key FIFA Social Impact Initiatives, including:
- Football for Human Rights – Global Stand Against Racism and Social Media Protection
- FIFA Football for Schools Programme
- Football as a Global Public Health Platform, Advancing Women’s Health and Preventing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
The session provided an important platform for reinforcing the partnerships that FIFA has with the Council of Europe and the African Union, as well as identifying collaborative opportunities in safeguarding, sport-based education, social inclusion, and health promotion.
The African Union Sports Council reaffirms its commitment to promoting safe, inclusive, and accountable sporting environments across the continent. Participation in the 2026 FIFA Safeguarding Summit reflects the AUSC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen safeguarding leadership, enhance policy development, and foster collaborative networks that protect the rights and well-being of all individuals involved in African sport.
