Tanzania moves to advance its football through FC Barcelona tour

BARCELONA: THE Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Paul Makonda, has begun a special four-day visit to Spanish football giants, FC Barcelona at the invitation of the club’s president, Joan Laporta.

Makonda began the visit on September 14, 2026, with talks with FC Barcelona’s management on opportunities for cooperation aimed at advancing football development in Tanzania.

The discussions focused on several areas, including youth talent development, technical development, the management of the national team and how FC Barcelona’s experience could contribute to Tanzania’s preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

FC Barcelona is internationally recognised for its system of identifying, nurturing and developing football talent through its academy and youth development programmes. The club’s experience has made it one of the leading examples in modern football development.

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During the visit, Minister Makonda also received a message of condolence from FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta for Tanzania’s President, Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, following the death of her husband, Mzee Hafidh Ameir Hassan, on September 7, 2026.

Laporta handed Makonda a special condolence letter to deliver to President Samia, urging her to remain patient and courageous during the period of mourning.

Minister Makonda is accompanied by experts from the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, the National Sports Council (BMT) and the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF).

The visit is expected to culminate on September 16, 2026, when Makonda will attend the match between FC Barcelona and Racing Santander at Camp Nou in Barcelona. He will attend the match alongside his host, FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta.