Dar es Salaam. Tanzania is exploring possible areas of cooperation with Spanish giants FC Barcelona as the government seeks to strengthen football development and prepare for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Information Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports Paul Makonda began a four day visit to Barcelona on September 14, following an invitation from the club’s president, Joan Laporta.
The visit is aimed at identifying areas where Barcelona’s experience and technical expertise could support the development of football in Tanzania, particularly in talent development, coaching and the management of national teams.
Makonda held talks with Barcelona officials on opportunities to establish closer links between the club and Tanzania’s football development structures.
Among the areas discussed were the identification and nurturing of young talent, technical training and development, as well as sharing experience in the management and development of national teams.
The talks also come as Tanzania prepares to co host AFCON 2027 alongside Kenya and Uganda, putting greater focus on the country’s football infrastructure, technical capacity and talent development systems.
The government hopes Barcelona’s experience could help strengthen some of these areas while creating opportunities for young Tanzanian players to access improved training and development programs.
Barcelona, one of the world’s most recognised football clubs, has built a reputation for developing young players through its youth system and maintaining a strong technical identity. Any formal cooperation with Tanzania could therefore provide an opportunity to draw from that experience.
However, the visit will need to translate into concrete programs if it is to have a lasting impact on Tanzanian football.
The discussions are also taking place at a time when Tanzania is preparing for a major football assignment on home soil. The 2027 AFCON tournament is expected to place the country’s football systems under greater scrutiny, from stadiums and training grounds to coaching, player development and organisation.
A partnership with Barcelona could potentially extend beyond AFCON preparations if both sides agree on practical areas of cooperation.
The visit also provided an opportunity for Laporta to send condolences to President Samia Suluhu Hassan following the death of her husband, Hafidh Ameir Hassan, who died on September 7.
Makonda’s four day visit continues in Spain, with the government seeking to strengthen relations with Barcelona and identify opportunities that could contribute to the long term development of football in Tanzania.
