The major African sporting events of 2023

Football

CHAN 2022 – Morocco in the crosshairs!

From Monday 13 January 2023 to Saturday 4 February 2023, Algeria hosts the 7th edition of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), a competition restricted to players based in their own country's domestic league. Two-time reigning champions Morocco will be the team to beat. Eighteen national teams are taking part.

The world's best clubs in Morocco

FIFA has awarded Morocco the hosting of the 19th edition of the Club World Cup, which will run from 1 to 11 February. The Kingdom will have two representatives: WAC, winners of the CAF Champions League, and Raja Casablanca.

Infantino re-elected in Kigali?

First elected FIFA president on 26 February 2016 and re-elected in 2019, Gianni Infantino is for now the only candidate to succeed himself. The new presidential election is scheduled for 16 March 2023 in Kigali, the Rwandan capital.

Women's World Cup at the other end of the world

Australia and New Zealand will host the 9th edition of the Women's World Cup from 20 July to 20 August 2023. For now, South Africa, Morocco, Zambia and Nigeria are the four African nations certain to take part. Cameroon and Senegal could join them, but to do so they will have to secure a ticket in February through a play-off tournament.

Handball

2023 Handball World Championship

Egypt, Cape Verde, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria represent Africa at the Handball World Cup. Sweden and Poland host the competition from 11 to 29 January 2023. At the last edition, played in Egypt in 2021, the Pharaohs finished 7th, the best placing by an African side.

Basketball

Third edition of the BAL

After Zamalek (Egypt) and US Monastir (Tunisia), who will win the 3rd edition of the Basketball Africa League? The winner will be known on 27 May at the BK Arena in Kigali, which will host the competition's finals for the 3rd time in a row.

2023 FIBA Men's World Cup

World champions in 2019, Spain defend their title from 25 August to 10 September 2023. The tournament will be staged across three countries: the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia. Africa has five places. For now, Ivory Coast are the only African nation to have booked their spot.

Rugby

South Africa defend their title

From 8 to 28 October, the 10th Rugby World Cup will be held in France. The last time the tournament was staged there, South Africa won it. The Springboks, the reigning champions, will aim to win a 4th title.

Athletics

World Championships in Budapest

After Eugene 2022, World Athletics returns to odd-numbered years for the world athletics championships. The 2023 edition takes place in Budapest from 19 to 27 August. Ethiopia (10 medals) stood out at the last edition, finishing second in the nations table behind the United States (33 medals).

Francophonie Games in Kinshasa

The Francophonie Games are currently scheduled from Friday 28 July to Sunday 6 August 2023 in Kinshasa, capital of the DR Congo. However, having already been postponed twice because of the health crisis, the event could be put back once again.

 African Games in Accra

After Rabat in 2019, Accra will welcome African athletes this summer from 4 to 19 August. The Ghanaian capital is hosting the African Games.

Meet 'Cobtan', the Official TotalEnergies CHAN Algeria Mascot https://t.co/8g47GntMxN

— CAF Media (@CAF_Media) December 30, 2022

African sports calendar for 2023 (non-exhaustive)

January 2023

11 to 29 January – Handball: Men's World Championship in Poland and Sweden

13 January to 4 February – Football: CHAN 2022

16 to 29 – Tennis: Australian Open, in Melbourne

23 to 29 January – Cycling: Tropicale Anissa Bongo (as named in the original calendar)

February 2023

1 to 11 February – Football: FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco

Sunday 19 February – Basketball: NBA All-Star Game

Athletics: World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst

Cycling: 2023 Tour of Rwanda will take place from 19 to 26 February 2023

March 2023

16 March – Football: FIFA Congress in Kigali, Rwanda

Basketball Africa League starts 11 March 2023

April 2023

19 to 23 April – Athletics: 2nd African U18-U20 combined championships in Lusaka

3rd and 4th matchdays of 2023 AFCON qualifying

May 2023

13 to 14 – Athletics: World Relays in Guangzhou (China)

27 May: Basketball Africa League final

28 May – Athletics: Diamond League meeting in Rabat

June 2023

10 June – Football: Champions League final in Istanbul

2-3 June – Football: CAF Champions League final, first leg

9-11 June – Football: CAF Champions League final, second leg

July 2023

8 to 17 – Para athletics: World Championships in Paris

14 to 30 – Swimming: World Championships in Fukuoka (Japan)

28 July to 6 August 2023: Francophonie Games in Kinshasa

August 2023

4 to 19 August: African Games in Accra

20 July to 20 August – Football: Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand

19 to 27 – Athletics: World Championships in Budapest

September 2023

25 August to 10 September – Basketball: 2023 Men's World Cup

October 2023

8 to 28 October – Rugby: 2023 Men's World Cup in France