Miami, FL – At the 2026 United Soccer Coaches Convention, Concacaf announced the launch of Concacaf Pro Licensing, a groundbreaking initiative designed to elevate coach education standards across the region. The announcement was made during a panel discussion on "Coaching Development Across Organizations."
During the panel presentation, the Confederation’s Football Development Department outlined the comprehensive vision for Concacaf Pro Licensing and detailed its ongoing collaboration with UEFA, through the UEFA Together initiative, as well as the evolution of the Concacaf Coaching Convention.
The introduction of Concacaf Pro Licensing represents a transformative milestone in regional football development. The program will establish a unified, high-performance standard for elite coach education across Concacaf, ensuring consistency, credibility, and alignment among all 41 Member Associations. By strengthening the professional pathway for coaches, the initiative will directly support the quality of clubs, leagues, and national teams by improving leadership, methodology, and decision-making at the highest level.
"The launch of Concacaf Pro Licensing is a defining moment for our region," said Concacaf Chief Football Development Officer Jason Roberts. "By establishing world-class standards for our elite coaches, we're not just developing better technical leaders, we're building a foundation that will elevate the entire football ecosystem across Concacaf. This program reflects our commitment to excellence and our vision for the future of the game in our confederation."
The initiative positions Concacaf as a global contributor to coach development through strategic alignment and collaboration with other confederations, enhancing international recognition and facilitating knowledge exchange on a worldwide scale.
"Our partnership with UEFA and other key stakeholders, and our participation in forums like the United Soccer Coaches Convention demonstrate our commitment to learning from the best while sharing our own innovations," added Roberts. "The Pro Licensing program is the result of extensive collaboration and research, and it will create unprecedented opportunities for our coaches to develop at the highest levels while contributing to the global football community."
The United Soccer Coaches Convention, taking place January 14-17, brings together thousands of football professionals from across the globe to exchange ideas, share best practices, and advance the sport. Concacaf's announcement at the convention underscores the confederation's dedication to continuous improvement and international collaboration in coach education.
