Rabat – Morocco have been drawn alongside Algeria, Libya and Zambia in Group A of the 2026 Futsal Africa Cup of Nations, setting up a North African-heavy opening phase for the three-time defending champions.
The draw took place on Monday at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé, with the eight qualified nations divided into two groups of four. CAF confirmed that Morocco will host the continental tournament from October 12 to 21.
Group B features Egypt, Angola, Mozambique and Tanzania, completing the lineup for the eight-team competition.
Morocco enter the tournament with the strongest recent record in African futsal. Hicham Dguig’s side have won the past three editions, lifting the trophy in 2016, 2020 and 2024.
Their most recent title came on home soil in April 2024, when they defeated Angola 5-1 in the final in Rabat. Soufiane Borite, Idriss Raiss El Fenni, Soufiane El Mesrar, Anas El Ayyane and Bilal Bakkali were among the scorers during another dominant Moroccan performance.
That victory gave Morocco a third consecutive continental crown and drew them level with Egypt on three Futsal AFCON titles.
North African tests await Morocco
The draw gives Morocco two regional opponents in Algeria and Libya.
Libya have considerable history in the competition and were among Africa’s representatives at the 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup after finishing third at the previous Futsal AFCON.
Algeria, meanwhile, qualified for the 2026 finals after defeating Guinea in the qualifying rounds and will make their first appearance at the final tournament. Zambia complete Group A after also progressing through qualification. CAF confirmed Algeria, Zambia, Libya and the other finalists among the eight nations that secured places alongside automatically qualified hosts Morocco.
Morocco will therefore be expected to start as Group A favorites, but the presence of Libya and an improving Algerian side should provide Dguig with competitive tests before the knockout stage.
Egypt headline Group B and remain one of the traditional powers of African futsal. Angola, runners-up to Morocco in 2024, will also be expected to challenge strongly for a semifinal place, while Mozambique and Tanzania complete the section.
The format traditionally sends the top two teams from each four-team group into the semifinals, followed by the final and third-place match. CAF used the same structure at the previous eight-team edition.
The October tournament will give Morocco another opportunity to extend a dominant period in continental futsal and win a fourth consecutive African title in front of their home supporters.
Before then, Dguig’s squad will continue its preparations through training camps and international friendlies, including two matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina scheduled for August 13 and 15 at the Mohammed VI Football Complex.
