Benin launch 2026 campaign with Morocco camp

Benin national football team will begin its 2026 international calendar with a training camp and two fixtures in Morocco under coach Gernot Rohr.

The matches form part of the sixth edition of the “Morocco Capital of African Football” event organised by Sportedge, with games scheduled in Rabat and Casablanca.

Benin will first face Palestine national football team on Friday, 27 March, before meeting Guinea national football team on Tuesday, 31 March.

Rather than exhibition fixtures, the matches represent the opening stage of a year containing five major international gatherings for the Cheetahs.

The coaching staff intends to use the camp to assess the squad, evaluate depth in each position and integrate new players into the national setup.

The technical team also plans to improve tactical cohesion by exposing the side to contrasting styles of play.

Facing Palestine and Guinea is expected to help refine automatisms within the team by confronting different rhythms and approaches during the same preparation window.

Another objective is to establish momentum early in the international season.

The staff wants the squad to build confidence and develop a positive competitive mindset before upcoming official commitments later in the year.

The Morocco trip therefore serves as both preparation and experimentation.

It provides an opportunity to observe combinations across the pitch while confirming which players can respond to the demands of international football.

By starting the year with two structured encounters, Benin aim to lay foundations for the months ahead, using the March gathering to strengthen collective understanding and set the tone for the remainder of the campaign.