The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will host this year's African Schools Football competition.

The decision was reached after several discussions between Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) President Gianni Infantino and President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi in Kinshasa.

Previous engagement between the two parties centred on the need to use the power of football to improve lives and to harness the possibilities it offers to instil positive values in young people.

Gianni Infantino and President Félix Tshisekedi, who doubles as Chairperson of the African Union (AU) have agreed to use the framework of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the AU, FIFA and CAF, to organise the competition across Africa.

To initiate the project, a protocol was signed between FIFA and the Ministry of Sports and Leisure of the DRC.

Gianni Infantino in his remarks expressed gratitude to the leadership of DR Congo for lending a hand to change the lives of many African youths through football.

“President Tshisekedi is passionate about football, and I’m delighted that we can work together to give hope to all children across Africa thanks to football. Together, FIFA, AU, CAF and our member associations will develop competitions and training for the youth through football, because football is more than a sport, it is a school of life.

"Through football, you can teach respect for adversaries and rules, learning how to play as a team, how to win and lose. With this schools championship, we plan to make these values, which are already strong in Africa, even stronger."

Subsequently, the FIFA President paid a visit to the offices of the Congo DR Football Association (FECOFA), met with FECOFA President Constant Omari and several representatives of the football community of DR Congo.