In a groundbreaking development for Caribbean and North American football, the Grenada Football Association (GFA) and Mexico’s Federación Mexicana de Fútbol (FMF) have established a comprehensive strategic partnership through a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement, finalized on January 13th at FMF Headquarters in Mexico City, represents a significant advancement in North-South sports cooperation within the CONCACAF region.
GFA President Marlon Glean and FMF President Mikel Arriola formalized the agreement that establishes a multi-year framework for football development collaboration extending through December 2026. The partnership focuses on four primary pillars of cooperation: technical education, youth development, competitive opportunities, and organizational capacity building.
The technical component will see the implementation of coach and referee training exchanges, including scholarship programs for Grenadian technical personnel to access Mexico’s advanced football education system. For youth development, the federations will share best practices in grassroots programming and talent identification methodologies.
A particularly notable aspect involves exploring friendly match opportunities between Grenada’s national teams and Mexican club sides, creating unprecedented exposure channels for Grenadian players to showcase their abilities in front of Mexican technical scouts. Additionally, the FMF will provide strategic support in media relations and commercial development to help strengthen the GFA’s organizational infrastructure.
President Glean characterized the agreement as transformative for Grenadian football, stating: ‘This partnership aligns perfectly with our strategic vision to elevate Grenadian football through international cooperation. It provides access to world-class expertise and resources that will accelerate our development at all levels.’
President Arriola emphasized the collaborative spirit behind the initiative: ‘We believe in football’s power to unite communities and drive development. Supporting federations like the GFA strengthens our entire regional football ecosystem and creates a more connected football family across the Americas.’
The agreement establishes formal mechanisms for joint planning and regular evaluation of initiatives, ensuring both organizations can adapt their collaboration to maximize impact. This partnership stands as a model for how football federations with differing resource levels can create mutually beneficial relationships that advance the sport’s development across regions.