Road to continental finals begins as CAF Beach Soccer AFCON Senegal 2026 Qualifiers get underway on Sunday
The journey to the CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations Senegal 2026 officially gets underway on Sunday, 20 September, as African nations beginning their pursuit of the seven available places available at the continental finals.
The opening match of the qualification campaign will see Mauritius host Angola on Sunday, 20 September, at the Blue Bay Beach Arena, with kick-off scheduled for 11h00 GMT (15h00 local time).
The encounter marks the beginning of a two-round qualification process that will determine the seven teams joining hosts and reigning champions Senegal at the eight-nation continental finals, scheduled for 7 to 15 November 2026.
Mauritius and Angola will be the first teams to take to the sand, with the return leg scheduled for the weekend of 25–27 September. The winner of the tie will then face Egypt in the second round next month.
The other first-round tie originally drawn was between Kenya and Libya. However, following Kenya's withdrawal, Libya have advanced directly to the second round, where they will face Morocco.
The qualification format means the two first-round winners will join the 12 teams that were exempted from the opening stage, setting up seven second-round ties.
Among the other fixtures awaiting the second round is a West African clash between Nigeria and Ghana, while Côte d’Ivoire will meet Mauritania. Tanzania will face Mozambique, Seychelles take on Malawi and Burundi will meet Uganda.
The second round will be played over two legs, with the first matches scheduled for 9–11 October and the decisive return fixtures from 16–18 October.
CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations Senegal 2026 Qualifiers Draw outcome:
First Round:
- Winner Mauritius/Angola vs Egypt
- First Leg: 18 - 20 September
- Second Leg: 25 to 27 September 2026.
Second Round
- M5-6: Winner M1/2 vs Egypt
- M7-8: Libya vs Morocco
- M9-10: Côte d'Ivoire vs Mauritania
- M11-12: Tanzania vs Mozambique
- M13-14: Seychelles vs Malawi
- M15-16: Burundi vs Uganda
- M17-18: Nigeria vs Ghana
- First legs: 9–11 October 2026
- Second legs: 16–18 October 2026
