The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has approved its calendar for 2026-2030, providing better visibility for planning competitions and events. The CAF Executive Committee made the decision, which includes several key events and changes to interclub competition regulations. This new calendar aims to improve organization and planning for member associations, clubs, and stakeholders.
The CAF Awards 2026 will take place on December 7, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria. Nigeria will also host the CAF Ordinary General Assembly on November 21, 2026. These events are crucial for the African football community, and their scheduling allows for adequate preparation. The Executive Committee received updates on the CAF Strategy Conference, set for October 7-9, 2026, in Sal, Cabo Verde.
The CAF Executive Committee has introduced significant changes to interclub competitions. One major change allows a player to represent more than one club during the same season. Additionally, the number of players registered by a club is now limited to 40 at any given time during the season. Clubs can replace up to four players during the last registration period, provided they have not played in a CAF interclub competition that season.
Disciplinary matters in interclub competitions will now be handled by the CAF Disciplinary Commission, relieving the Interclub Committee of this responsibility. This change aims to streamline disciplinary procedures and ensure consistency across competitions. The Executive Committee also approved the dates for the CAF Women’s Champions League 2026, which will take place from November 1-15, 2026.
The CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations 2026 will be hosted by Senegal, the current champion, from November 28 to December 6, 2026. This event is an important part of CAF's beach soccer calendar, and Senegal's hosting rights provide an opportunity for the country to showcase its capabilities. The tournament is expected to feature top beach soccer teams from across Africa.
The new calendar and regulations are designed to improve the organization and competitiveness of CAF events. By providing a clear schedule and modifying interclub competition rules, CAF aims to enhance the overall football experience for players, clubs, and fans. These changes will come into effect for the 2026-2030 period, marking a significant shift in African football's structure.
The implementation of these changes will be closely monitored by CAF and its member associations. The success of the new calendar and regulations will depend on effective communication and collaboration among all stakeholders. As African football continues to grow and evolve, CAF's efforts to improve its competitions and events are crucial for the sport's development on the continent.
Key points
- CAF has approved its 2026-2030 calendar, including key events like the CAF Awards and General Assembly.
- The organization has modified interclub competition rules, allowing players to represent multiple clubs in a season.
- Senegal will host the CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations 2026.
