Eight Elite League clubs secure Concacaf licences

Eight clubs competing in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League have secured Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Club Licences for the 2026-2027 season, marking another step towards the professionalisation of local club football.
Six of the clubs satisfied the CONCACAF Domestic Club Administration Standards and were awarded Domestic Club Licences. The other two met the more demanding Regional Club Licensing Standard and received Regional Club Licences.
The GFF did not identify the eight successful clubs in its press release.
The licensing process evaluates clubs in several important areas, including sporting development, infrastructure, administration, staffing, financial management, legal compliance, safeguarding, and social responsibility.

Club licensing is mandatory for teams seeking to compete in Concacaf tournaments. However, the programme also aims to improve the overall management, sustainability and competitiveness of clubs throughout the region.
Over the past two years, the GFF has worked with the Elite League clubs, with technical support and guidance from Concacaf, to improve their administrative and operational structures. Clubs were required to assess and strengthen their governance, decision-making, finances, legal operations, sporting programmes, infrastructure and personnel.
GFF President Wayne Forde said the accomplishment fulfilled an objective established at the beginning of the 2025 Elite League season.
Forde praised the clubs and the federation’s administrative staff for completing a demanding process but cautioned that earning the licences should be regarded as the start of a wider transformation.
“I share this proud moment with the clubs, but I want to remind them that this is not the end; rather, it is the beginning of cultivating a professional culture within their operations,” he said.
Forde acknowledged that local football clubs have traditionally depended heavily on volunteers whose passion and sacrifice have helped to sustain the sport. However, he said that model has also contributed to an amateur environment that no longer matches the direction of football within the region.
The GFF is now developing a programme to provide clubs and Regional Associations with resources to begin improving the professional management and administration of the sport.
Building on the Elite League exercise, the Federation also plans to introduce a Domestic Club Licensing Programme across all nine Regional Associations. Incentives will be offered to encourage clubs and regional executives to improve governance, financial management, accountability and administrative systems.
According to the GFF, stronger administration will help clubs develop players and coaches, manage their resources, attract sponsors, strengthen community relationships and compete at a higher level.
The Federation also recognised the contributions of club executives, administrators, technical personnel and volunteers, along with the work of its Secretariat and the continued guidance provided by Concacaf.