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Tuesday, 27 October 2026
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Botswanan press · Organization

FIFA

Global football governing body funding youth development in Botswana and overseeing disciplinary matters involving local clubs.

2026-05-082026-10-27

News reports

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In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. May 2026
  2. Daily News Botswana

    … Babitseng said the COSAFA tournament would be aligned with the FIFA calendar so that countries could send proper national teams, which he said would help make the tournament competitive. …

    Babibetseng promises to deliver
  3. Weekend Post

    The 2026 FIFA World Cup is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated sporting events in history, but it’s also stirring up a storm of controversy, centered not on the spectacle of the games, but on the staggering price of tickets. …

    FIFA defends World Cup ticket prices
  4. Mmegi

    … For instance, it took Africa 80 years to host its first ever World Cup despite the continent being home to 54 of FIFA's 210 members. …

    Botswana debunks Africa's hosting myth

Tuesday 20 October

  1. BFA launches football academy with P2.76m FIFA support

    The Botswana Football Association is preparing to launch its football academy with trials for Standard 7 graduates ahead of a January 2027 opening, funded by up to P2.76 million from FIFA as part of the Talent Development Scheme to help identify and develop young players.

    20 October 2026 · Weekend Post →

  2. FIFA mini-pitch launched in Molepolole for youth football

    The Botswana Football Association, Bakwena Community Development Trust, and local stakeholders have launched construction of a FIFA Arena mini-pitch in Molepolole as part of FIFA's global campaign to install 1,000 accessible mini-pitches by 2031. The 20x40 metre community football pitch is expected to benefit more than 2,500 children across 11 schools in the catchment area.

    20 October 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Friday 25 September

  1. Suspended Kgatleng Region disputes BFA over arbitration process

    The suspended Kgatleng Regional Football Association executive committee has challenged the BFA's handling of its arbitration case, after discovering that their Notice of Arbitration lodged on September 4 had not been submitted to the BFA Arbitration Tribunal. The KRFA indicated willingness to cooperate with the interim administrative handover but stressed this should not be seen as admitting allegations or waiving their rights.

    25 September 2026 · Mmegi →

Monday 21 September

  1. Magosi parts ways with coach after three games

    Chiefs have parted ways with coach Torreira after three games this season, in which the team recorded one win, one draw and one defeat. The club did not provide reasons for the decision but thanked Torreira for his contribution and said further announcements about the technical leadership will be communicated in due course.

    21 September 2026 · Mmegi →

Monday 14 September

  1. Rollers settles P1.2 million in FIFA transfer ban disputes

    Township Rollers paid upwards of P1.2 million to resolve financial claims from three former employees—Moroccan coach Abdelaziz Karkache (P850,000), South African forward Thabiso Mokenkoane (P124,000), and Congolese midfielder Ntambwe Wafauna Djo (P111,000)—and secured the removal of a FIFA transfer ban that had disrupted the club's season.

    14 September 2026 · Weekend Post →

Tuesday 1 September

  1. Elite League match abandoned after Rollers field only six players

    An FNB Premiership match between Rollers and Popa was called off minutes after kickoff when Rollers were reduced to six players following an injury, after arriving with only seven players due to a FIFA ban preventing them from registering new players over unpaid wages to former head coach Aziz Karkarche.

    1 September 2026 · Mmegi →

  2. Botswana football season pushed back to September 5

    The 2026/27 FNBB Premiership has been delayed one week from its planned August 28 start date to September 5 due to administrative disputes between the Botswana Football Association and the Botswana Football League, unresolved club licensing requirements, and an international women's tournament being staged in Botswana.

    1 September 2026 · Weekend Post →

Monday 31 August

  1. Township Rollers faces FIFA registration ban over unpaid dispute

    Township Rollers, the 16-time Botswana Premier League champions, is under a FIFA registration ban after failing to pay approximately R98,000 ordered by FIFA in a dispute with South African defender Thabiso Mokenkoane, whose contract was terminated last season. The ban prohibits the club from signing or registering new players domestically and internationally for up to three consecutive registration periods unless the outstanding amount is settled.

    31 August 2026 · Weekend Post →

Sunday 30 August

  1. Township Rollers faces multiple FIFA transfer bans over unpaid debts

    Township Rollers, despite securing sponsorships worth millions of pula to pay debts, now faces two new FIFA transfer bans effective July and August 2026, following unpaid dues to former coach Abdelaziz Karkache (P1.2 million) and other creditors.

    30 August 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Tuesday 18 August

  1. Scottish FA withdraws support for Infantino re-election

    The Scottish Football Association will not vote for Gianni Infantino in his 2027 re-election bid, aligning with Uefa's position following widespread criticism of his abandoned plan to create a company to manage Fifa's commercial and ticketing rights.

    18 August 2026 · Mmegi →

Friday 14 August

  1. BFA reshuffles leadership and technical roles

    Botswana Football Association has announced administrative and technical changes to strengthen operations, appointing Bathusi Rathari as acting general secretary while a permanent position is recruited, and redeploying technical director Kaelo Kaelo to head of coaching and research. The association aims to ensure key positions are filled by people with appropriate skills and competencies.

    14 August 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Monday 10 August

  1. BFA fails to account for millions in FIFA Forward grant funds

    Millions of pulas given to the Botswana Football Association under FIFA's Forward 1.0 and 2.0 funding initiatives remain unaccounted for, with accounting failures dating back to 2017. FIFA requires detailed reports showing funds were used as intended, and failure to meet strict auditing requirements prevents future support.

    10 August 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Friday 31 July

  1. BFA to vote with CAF over Infantino's FIFA commercial plan

    FIFA proposed setting up a commercial subsidiary to run events including the World Cup, prompting backlash from UEFA. CAF, FIFA's largest continental federation with 54 members, is expected to back the proposal, and the Botswana Football Association will vote with CAF at Morocco's elective congress in May 2027, where Infantino will seek his second term.

    31 July 2026 · Mmegi →

Thursday 30 July

  1. FIFA proposes $20B World Cup privatization amid UEFA opposition

    FIFA President Gianni Infantino has announced plans to create FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a commercial entity that would control the World Cup with private investor involvement, raising billions by selling minority stakes in commercial rights. The proposal has sparked fierce opposition from UEFA, the European football governing body.

    30 July 2026 · Weekend Post →

Monday 27 July

  1. BFA hosts FIFA Forward workshop on governance and financial accountability

    The Botswana Football Association is intensifying its commitment to accountability in managing FIFA-funded projects through a FIFA Forward workshop designed to equip administrators with skills in planning, executing, monitoring, and reporting on development programs.

    27 July 2026 · Weekend Post →

Wednesday 22 July

  1. BFA concludes FIFA workshop on governance and project management

    The Botswana Football Association held a FIFA Forward Workshop bringing together FIFA delegates, BFA leadership, and COSAFA representatives to strengthen planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of FIFA Forward projects while reinforcing good governance, transparency and accountability principles. BFA and COSAFA President Oabile Tariq Babitseng said the workshop was an opportunity to strengthen football administration and ensure projects deliver lasting benefits to the football community.

    22 July 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Tuesday 14 July

  1. Township Rollers signs five-year P20 million Diadora sponsorship deal

    Township Rollers have agreed a five-year technical sponsorship with Italian sportswear brand Diadora valued at P20 million, covering match kits, training gear, and technical apparel. The partnership is expected to ease operational costs and allow the club to invest in football development.

    14 July 2026 · Weekend Post →

Monday 29 June

  1. Township Rollers faces governance turmoil and financial crisis

    Township Rollers, Botswana's leading football club, is experiencing rapid decline marked by governance turmoil and financial chaos, culminating in the ouster of former chairperson Bafana Phempheretlhe Pheto and his committee, with a Special General Assembly held on October 11 in Palapye described as a pivotal moment for the club.

    29 June 2026 · Weekend Post →

Tuesday 23 June

  1. BFA launches Impact Programme to restructure football governance nationwide

    The Botswana Football Association, led by newly elected COSAFA president Tariq Babitseng, is implementing the BFA Impact Programme, a comprehensive initiative to overhaul governance, funding, and development of football across the nation. The programme introduces a tiered classification system for Regional Football Associations, categorizing them as Tier 1 (high capacity), Tier 2 (emerging), or Tier 3 (development), with tailored development responsibilities for each tier.

    23 June 2026 · Weekend Post →

Tuesday 16 June

  1. BFA women's football management questioned after medal mix-up

    The Botswana Football Association faces renewed scrutiny after Gaborone United Ladies were awarded wrong medals following their 5-1 championship victory over Orapa United Ladies, drawing criticism about the marginalization of women's football despite promises to grow the sport.

    16 June 2026 · Weekend Post →

Wednesday 20 May

  1. Botswana's Babitseng elected unopposed to lead COSAFA

    Tariq Babitseng, Botswana Football Association president, was elected unopposed to the top seat of the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) on May 17, becoming the second Motswana to lead the organization since its inception in 1992. Babitseng said he would retain his BFA position while ensuring both roles received proper attention, and noted that unity prevailed during the elective congress.

    20 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Tuesday 12 May

  1. FIFA defends 2026 World Cup ticket prices amid backlash

    FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended the high cost of 2026 World Cup tickets, including one listed for $11.5 million on FIFA's resale platform, attributing the pricing to unprecedented demand; FIFA received over 500 million ticket requests during the sales period against approximately seven million available tickets.

    12 May 2026 · Weekend Post →

Friday 8 May

  1. Africa struggles to host major global sporting events

    Despite representing 54 of FIFA's 210 members, Africa waited 80 years to host its first World Cup (South Africa, 2010) and has never hosted Olympic Games or Commonwealth Games, with organisational capabilities frequently questioned. FIFA abolished its continental rotation policy in October 2007, effective from the 2018 bidding process.

    8 May 2026 · Mmegi →

FIFA — Botswanan press coverage · Botswana Minute