Morocco, Egypt among five countries awarded African tournament hosting rights

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed the host nations for a series of continental competitions in 2026 and 2027, with Morocco and Egypt securing key tournaments as the organisation seeks to bring greater clarity and stability to its calendar.

Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, Senegal and South Africa were all named as hosts in a CAF statement issued on Monday. The announcement is intended to give member associations, clubs and national teams a clearer view of the competitions schedule over the coming seasons.

Morocco will stage the 2027 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, which is scheduled to take place in April and May next year.

The country will also host the 2026 Futsal Africa Cup of Nations from 12 to 21 October.

Morocco has continued to strengthen its position as one of the continent’s leading hosts, having staged a number of major CAF competitions in recent years.

Egypt, meanwhile, has been selected to host the 2027 CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament will carry particular importance because it will serve as the qualifying competition for the football tournament at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

CAF’s decision represents another vote of confidence in Egypt’s ability to organise major continental competitions. The country has extensive infrastructure and experience of hosting both African and international events.

Ghana has been awarded the 2027 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, which is due to be played in February and March next year.

Senegal will host the 2026 CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in November.

South Africa has been chosen as the venue for the CAF Super Cup, which will be held in the city of Tshwane on 8 November. The match will be contested by Mamelodi Sundowns, winners of the CAF Champions League, and USM Alger, holders of the CAF Confederation Cup.

CAF said the increasing stability of its competitions calendar should help member associations plan more effectively. It added that a clearer programme would provide players with more defined competitive pathways and give broadcasters, sponsors and supporters a better understanding of when continental tournaments will be staged.

The governing body also said work on the possible creation of an African Nations League had moved forward. The proposed competition’s format has been discussed by the CAF Executive Committee as part of a wider strategy to provide more meaningful international football and create a tournament with stronger commercial appeal.

The announcement comes as preparations continue for the 2026-27 club competitions. The preliminary-round draws for the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup have been completed.

The first legs of those ties are scheduled to take place between 4 and 6 September, with the return matches set for 11 to 13 September.

CAF said its work on the competition calendar is intended to offer greater certainty across the game, from national teams and clubs to players and commercial partners. The confirmed hosting arrangements provide a framework for the next cycle of African tournaments while the organisation continues to consider further changes to its international competitions.