Futsal AFCON 2026: groups, fixtures and what is at stake as Morocco defend their crown
From 12 to 21 October 2026, eight teams are expected in Morocco. The hosts will defend their title, while Angola, runners-up in 2024, and Egypt are also among the sides to watch. Here are the groups, the schedule and the key questions facing the tournament.
Contribution SNA · Author profile · · Updated 15/10/2026 11:08 UTC
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Morocco are putting their title back on the line. The Futsal Africa Cup of Nations is set to run from 12 to 21 October 2026 in the kingdom, with eight teams split into two groups. The hosts and Egypt arrive with three titles each, and the tournament could allow one of them to move clear at the top of the roll of honour.
That storyline alone does not tell the whole story, however. Angola, runners-up in 2024, will meet Egypt again in Group B. Libya, champions in 2008, will join Morocco in Group A. Alongside these heavyweights, four other sides will have their own place to defend: Zambia, Algeria, Mozambique and Tanzania.
Morocco look to extend their run, Egypt seek a return to the top
Morocco's three crowns were won in 2016, 2020 and 2024. In the last final, the Moroccans beat Angola 5–1. Egypt's three titles go back to 1996, 2000 and 2004. The two sides therefore arrive with the same tally, but very different recent histories.
Morocco will face Algeria first, then Zambia and finally Libya. For the holders, this group phase will have to confirm on the pitch that their run of success continues. Their record offers a starting point for reading the tournament, without guaranteeing how it ends.
In Group B, Mozambique's schedule
Egypt will begin against Tanzania. The other match on the opening day will pit Angola against Mozambique. The Mozambicans will therefore start against the 2024 runners-up, in a clash between two southern African sides.
The opener is announced for 13 October, followed by Egypt v Mozambique on 15 October and Mozambique v Tanzania on 17 October. That gives a concrete frame of reference: Mozambique's three announced matches come every two days, against three opponents with contrasting records.
The groups as announced on 3 October 2026
| Group A | Group B |
|---|---|
| Morocco | Egypt |
| Libya | Angola |
| Zambia | Mozambique |
| Algeria | Tanzania |
The group-phase schedule as of 3 October 2026
This table presents the announced schedule and may be updated if it changes.
| Date | Group | Fixture |
|---|---|---|
| 12 October 2026 | A | Libya v Zambia |
| 12 October 2026 | A | Morocco v Algeria |
| 13 October 2026 | B | Egypt v Tanzania |
| 13 October 2026 | B | Angola v Mozambique |
| 14 October 2026 | A | Algeria v Libya |
| 14 October 2026 | A | Morocco v Zambia |
| 15 October 2026 | B | Egypt v Mozambique |
| 15 October 2026 | B | Tanzania v Angola |
| 16 October 2026 | A | Morocco v Libya |
| 16 October 2026 | A | Zambia v Algeria |
| 17 October 2026 | B | Egypt v Angola |
| 17 October 2026 | B | Mozambique v Tanzania |
What we know before kick-off
The tournament dates, the make-up of the groups and the order of the three matchdays have been announced. This information makes it possible to plan coverage of the teams, but it is not yet a country-by-country broadcast guide.
The calendar schedules the semi-finals for 19 October: the Group A winners will meet the Group B runners-up, and the Group B winners will face the Group A runners-up. The third-place match and the final are announced for 21 October. Finishing in the top two of each group is therefore the hurdle to clear to stay in the title race.
Kick-off times and broadcasters remain to be checked for each territory. Squad lists will also need to be verified before any players to watch are profiled. The main storyline is already clear: Morocco's title defence, Egypt's quest and how their rivals respond, with no need to write the ending in advance.
Photograph: Morocco's senior side celebrate their title at the 2024 Futsal AFCON. Sport News Africa photo library archive, published on 22 April 2024. Publication credit: Sport News Africa; photographer not identified in this archive. Treatment: official SNA logo added, image cropped and reduced.