BY THEMBA ZWANE
EZULWINI – Experts from FIFA have encouraged the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) to introduce beach soccer as part of efforts to expand football participation and create new opportunities for players in the country.
The recommendation was made during a FIFA Amateur Football Analysis workshop held on 11 March 2026 at the Sibane Sami Hotel, where football stakeholders gathered to discuss strategies for developing the sport from grassroots level.
During his presentation, FIFA expert Serame Letsoaka explained that football associations have the opportunity to broaden participation by embracing different formats of the game.
“For example, there is beach soccer, which is played five-a-side and is very easy to set up,” he said. “We are encouraging member associations to understand that you do not necessarily need a sea coastline or a lake to play this game.”
Letsoaka noted that even landlocked countries can successfully develop beach soccer by creating designated playing areas. He explained that sand can be sourced locally and transported to a technical centre or another suitable location where a beach soccer pitch can be constructed.
“This makes it easier for players and teams to participate, and it can become a pathway to major international competitions such as the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup or continental tournaments like the Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations,” he said.
In the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) region, several countries have already embraced the sport. Letsoaka highlighted Mozambique and Malawi as examples where beach soccer is growing steadily.
He pointed out that Malawi, despite being a landlocked country, has successfully developed the sport and has already participated in the Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations.
According to Letsoaka, Eswatini could benefit from adopting a similar approach by creating opportunities for local players to participate in new formats of football.
He said introducing beach soccer would not only broaden participation but also open additional pathways for the country to compete in regional and continental competitions.
Developing the sport could also help strengthen grassroots football by providing alternative platforms for young players to showcase their talent and gain experience in international competitions.
Football development experts believe that expanding the range of football formats played in the country can contribute to the overall growth of the sport while increasing Eswatini’s presence in global competitions.
Stakeholders attending the workshop expressed optimism that initiatives such as beach soccer could help diversify the football landscape and inspire more young people to participate in the game.
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