More than 100 girls from across the capital and interior regions gathered on Saturday, September 26, to participate in the Third FIFA-APF Women’s Football Festival 2026. Organized by the APF with support from FIFA, the initiative aims to expand safe spaces and early access for the next generation of female athletes through structured play, formative experiences, and peer camaraderie.
Development Leadership and Official Presence
APF Development Director Douglas Martínez attended the Saturday event alongside executive and operational leaders to oversee the grassroots programming. Joining Martínez were Enrique Benítez, a member of the APF Executive Council, and attorney Mario Villasantti, coordinator of the Development Directorate. Their presence highlighted the federation’s administrative backing for youth-level participation initiatives designed to introduce young players to the sport in secure environments.
Expanding Grassroots Access for Youth Players
The festival model focuses on lowering barriers to entry for girls interested in football by combining recreational matches with foundational skill-building exercises. By drawing participants from both urban centers and outlying regions, organizers look to build a nationwide pipeline for women’s football development. Saturday’s gathering offered these young athletes structured opportunities to train and interact under the guidance of national federation staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What was the main purpose of the festival? The initiative seeks to generate safe spaces for the development of new generations of women’s football players, promoting early access and integration.
- Who organized the event? The APF organized the festival with the support of FIFA.
- When did the event take place? The activity was held on Saturday, September 26.
- Who participated in the sessions? More than 100 girls from various institutions across the capital and the interior of the country took part.
Saturday’s event marks another step in ongoing joint efforts between national governing bodies and international authorities to institutionalize grassroots pathways for young female players. Continued regional outreach remains a central priority for federation development officials looking to sustain participation growth across all departments.