The African Football Confederation (CAF) is facing a new challenge due to the “political” crisis between Algeria and Morocco, highlighting the pressures on the African body concerning venues for the Algerian national team’s matches, especially during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. This crisis stems from a lack of approved stadiums to host Algeria’s opponents.
Group seven of the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup includes Algeria, Mozambique, Uganda, Guinea, Botswana, and Somalia. Algeria leads the group with 6 points, secured from their victories against Somalia and Mozambique.
The crisis between Algeria and Morocco has affected the 2026 World Cup qualifying matches, prompting Uganda to seek approval for its new “Nelson Mandela” stadium to host its opponents, including Algeria. However, CAF has expressed reservations about this stadium, demanding two additional tests to ensure its safety.
If Uganda’s new stadium is not approved, the team’s matches will be relocated abroad. Uganda has proposed hosting the matches in Morocco, while other options, such as playing in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, have been considered. The Algerian Football Federation categorically refuses the idea of playing in Morocco.
In the same context, the Guinean team has also decided to host its opponents in Morocco due to the lack of approval of its own stadiums by CAF. Several African federations have signed agreements with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to use Moroccan stadiums to host their opponents.
CAF is currently seeking objective solutions to avoid further exacerbating the crisis between Algeria and Morocco, while trying to avoid getting involved in new problems.
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