AFCON
AFCON Calendar Headache Set to Dominate Friday’s CAF Executive Meeting in Tanzania
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee on Friday is set to deliberate on crucial planning decisions for the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) when it meets on Friday in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, with the tournament’s timing, qualification schedule and long-term calendar alignment high on the agenda.
CAF is yet to confirm official dates for both the AFCON 2028 qualifiers and the finals, as the continental body works through a complex transition to a new competition cycle.
The discussions come at a pivotal moment for African football, with administrators seeking to integrate the tournament into an already congested international calendar without overburdening players or clashing with major global events.
The uncertainty follows CAF’s December 2025 announcement that AFCON will move from its traditional two-year cycle to a four-year format starting with the 2028 edition.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe said at the time that the change was designed to harmonise African competitions with the global football schedule and reduce recurring conflicts with club and international tournaments.
Under the existing framework, the 2027 AFCON will still be staged in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, before the new four-year cycle takes effect the following year.
CAF officials face a difficult scheduling puzzle. A January 2028 tournament would come only months after the mid-year 2027 edition, while a summer slot risks overlapping with UEFA Euro 2028 and the Los Angeles Olympic Games — two events that would stretch broadcasting, logistics and player availability.
Any attempt to move the competition later into 2028 or early 2029 could also create clashes with other international fixtures, including the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, making the Executive Committee’s deliberations particularly significant.
Further complicating the calendar is CAF’s plan to launch an African Nations League from 2029, a new competition that will require additional international windows and careful coordination with existing tournaments.
CAF has not yet named a host nation for AFCON 2028, although interest is intensifying. A joint southern African bid reportedly involving Botswana and South Africa is among the proposals expected to be considered as the process gathers momentum.
Friday’s Executive Committee meeting is therefore seen as a key step in defining the structure of African football’s new era. Decisions emerging from the session are expected to clarify whether AFCON 2028 will retain its projected timeframe or be adjusted to fit the crowded global schedule, while also providing guidance on how the four-year cycle will function in practice.
The outcome could shape the rhythm of African competitions for the next decade, as CAF attempts to balance tradition, commercial growth and the realities of the modern international football calendar.
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Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.
The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.
“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.
“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.
The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.
Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.
The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.
Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.
The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.
Group I Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Algeria vs Zambia
- Togo vs Burundi
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Zambia vs Togo
- Burundi vs Algeria
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Algeria vs Togo
- Zambia vs Burundi
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Togo vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Zambia
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Zambia vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Togo
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Togo vs Zambia
- Algeria vs Burundi
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By Kunle Solaja.
African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.
Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.
The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.
Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.
Group J Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Sudan vs Ethiopia
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Mozambique vs Sudan
- Ethiopia vs Senegal
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan
- Mozambique vs Ethiopia
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Sudan vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Mozambique
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Mozambique vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Sudan
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Sudan vs Mozambique
- Senegal vs Ethiopia
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