The World Minifootball Federation (WMF) has affirmed that the Arab Minifootball Federation, headquartered in the UAE, serves as a vital catalyst for driving the development and expansion of the sport across the Arab region.
In a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Ashraf Ben Salha, Vice President of the WMF, highlighted that the Arab Federation, chaired by H.E. Saeed Ali Al Ajal, has achieved remarkable milestone progress since its inception. This includes establishing several national federations and revitalizing others, most recently in Somalia, Sudan, and Syria. Furthermore, the federation has approved the organization of the Arab Club Championship set for late October, alongside the Arab National Teams Championship taking place during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan.
Ben Salha added that the Arab Federation is actively engaging with Arab Ministers of Youth and Sports to rally official backing for national associations. This effort runs parallel to formulating a comprehensive regional strategy aimed at strengthening infrastructure, broadening participation, and advancing minifootball’s footprint across various Arab nations.
He further explained that completing the formation of Arab committees and enhancing operational structures and the executive board align with a strategic vision to boost institutional performance, delegate responsibilities, and ensure the execution of structured programs. These steps mark a new phase of joint Arab action focused on expanding the sport’s reach, fostering cooperation among national member bodies, and translating initiatives into tangible outcomes.
Emphasizing the growth of women’s minifootball, Ben Salha stressed that developing the women’s game remains a core strategic priority. He noted that Women’s World Championships play a key role in showcasing talent, encouraging female participation, and supporting national federations in establishing national teams and local competitions.
He called on national associations to integrate women’s minifootball into their developmental agendas by investing in player pathways, training female coaches and referees, creating suitable environments for training and competition, and securing strategic partnerships and media visibility.
Ben Salha concluded that hosting Women’s World Cups falls under an integrated vision for the evolution of minifootball, underpinned by expanding participation levels, optimizing national frameworks, and elevating technical and organizational standards to consolidate the sport’s global standing.
Addressing the ongoing U-23 World Cup in Croatia, he stated that the tournament represents a vital investment in the sport’s future, offering young athletes a platform to gain international exposure, represent their nations, and demonstrate their capabilities, ultimately preparing a new generation equipped to compete on the biggest stages.
