The Taïeb Mhiri stadium in Sfax, Tunisia, has reached a new stage in its upgrade process. A meeting was held on October 5 at the Sfax governorate, followed by a site visit, where local representatives and the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) reviewed the facilities in light of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) requirements. The upgrades include modernizing player and referee locker rooms, a new room for CAF representatives, and extended surveillance.
An inspection on September 24 provided more details on the project, including the expansion of the touchline benches from 16 to 22 places, and renovations to the player tunnel and honor tribune. The media facilities are also being revamped, with a redesigned press tribune and a new mixed zone that can accommodate around 50 people. These changes give an initial idea of the investments required but do not provide a clear picture of the costs involved.
Despite the progress made, a crucial piece of information remains missing: the budget allocated for the CAF upgrades. The sources consulted do not provide a consolidated budget specifically for the Taïeb Mhiri stadium's conformity to CAF standards. This lack of transparency hinders a reliable financial comparison with other major Tunisian stadiums and makes it difficult to assess the project's overall cost.
The upgrades currently being implemented to meet CAF requirements should not be confused with a larger extension project for the Taïeb Mhiri stadium. In July, the municipality launched a call for tenders to select a study bureau for technical assistance with the extension project. This distinction is essential to understanding the scope and costs of the two separate projects.
According to the CAF's official regulations, only inspected and approved stadiums can be used in its competitions. The regulations also provide for several levels of decision-making, including temporary approval. Therefore, the Taïeb Mhiri stadium's upgrade is not just about physical progress but also about obtaining a formal decision from the CAF.
The stakes are high for the Taïeb Mhiri stadium, as its homologation is crucial for Sfax to return to continental standards. To measure the actual cost of this return, it will be necessary to know the formal decision from the CAF and have access to the budget, expenses, and operating costs. Only then can the project's financial implications be fully understood.
Key dates in the upgrade process include October 5, 2026, when a follow-up meeting was held at the Sfax governorate. The project involves increasing the number of places on the touchline benches from 16 to 22 and creating a new mixed zone with a capacity for around 50 people. However, the budget for the CAF upgrades and the annual maintenance costs remain undisclosed.
Key points
- The Taïeb Mhiri stadium's upgrade to meet CAF standards is progressing, but the costs of the project remain unclear.
- The stadium's homologation is crucial for Sfax to return to continental standards, but it requires a formal decision from the CAF.
- The upgrade project should not be confused with a larger extension project for the Taïeb Mhiri stadium.
