The Zimbabwe Football Association has issued an urgent warning to individuals and groups running unauthorised youth football competitions across the country, demanding all teams and academies register with the governing body before May 31, 2026 or face serious consequences.
In a strongly worded announcement , ZIFA revealed it had become aware of a growing number of youth football competitions being organised outside of its authority, a development the association is clearly determined to bring firmly under its control.
"It has come to our notice/attention that there are individuals and groups organising youth football competitions without the authority of Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA).
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"We would like to advise that all individuals or groups running youth football competitions are required to register their teams and clubs with ZIFA before 31 May 2026.
"Please be further advised that unregistered clubs/teams and players will not be eligible to:
* Participate in all ZIFA competitions
* Players will not be selected to be selected to represent provincial, regional or national teams
"We urge parents and school authorities to ensure that their young football players have ZIFA player licences," read the statement.
The crackdown reflects growing concerns within the football establishment about the proliferation of unregulated youth competitions that operate in a grey area, potentially exposing young players to environments lacking proper governance, safety standards and development structures.
For Zimbabwe's football pipeline, ensuring every young talent is properly registered and accounted for is a critical step toward building a stronger national game from the grassroots up.