The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has opened registration for junior and youth teams across the country as preparations gather pace for key grassroots competitions and talent development programmes.
Harare – The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has officially opened registration for junior and youth football teams nationwide, setting the stage for several grassroots development competitions aimed at nurturing the next generation of talent.
In a statement released on Friday 06 March 2026, the association called on clubs, academies and community teams to register through their respective provincial associations before the end of the month. Reads the statement seen by ZiGoats.com:
“The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) is pleased to invite all junior and youth teams across the country to register with their respective ZIFA Provincial Associations ahead of the commencement of the Talent Development Scheme, Banc ABC Roots Impact Programme and the ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup.”
The initiative forms part of ZIFA’s broader strategy to strengthen youth football structures while creating organised pathways for young players to develop and be scouted through competitive football. Said the association:
“This registration process forms an important step in strengthening junior and youth football structures and ensuring that young players are given a clear, competitive pathway to develop, participate and be identified through organised competition.”
Focus on Structured Youth Development
The programmes linked to the registration drive include the Talent Development Scheme, the Banc ABC Roots Impact Programme, and the ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup, all of which are designed to build a stronger foundation for Zimbabwean football.
These initiatives are expected to provide structured competition and exposure for young players while also helping coaches and scouts identify emerging talent across the country.
Grassroots football has long been seen as the backbone of Zimbabwe’s football future, with many of the country’s top players having emerged from community academies and school competitions before rising to the professional ranks.
Standard FIFA Age Categories
ZIFA said all teams registering for the programme must comply with internationally recognised age-group categories set by FIFA. The association confirmed:
“All teams will be registered in line with the standardised FIFA age-group categories as follows: U13 (Boys only), U15 (Boys and Girls), and U17 (Boys and Girls).”
The inclusion of girls’ teams in the U15 and U17 categories reflects the growing focus on developing women’s football in Zimbabwe.
Registration Deadline Approaches
Teams interested in participating have been urged to contact their respective provincial associations to complete the registration process. Further Read the statement:
“Teams are encouraged to engage their respective provinces for registration requirements. Deadline for registration is Tuesday, 31 March 2026.”
With the deadline fast approaching, football academies, schools and community clubs are expected to rush to secure their places in what could become one of the country’s most important youth football pipelines.
If fully implemented, the programme could play a key role in rebuilding Zimbabwe’s football development structures and giving young players across the country a real chance to rise through the ranks.
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