Road to AFCON 2026: A Deep Dive into the Africa Futsal Cup of Nations Qualifiers
The journey to the 2026 Africa Futsal Cup of Nations (AFCON) is officially underway, with national teams across the continent vying for a coveted spot in the final tournament. The qualifiers represent a critical stage for emerging futsal nations to test their mettle and for established powerhouses to assert their dominance. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of the qualification format, key matchups, and what’s at stake for teams like Algeria and Guinea.
Understanding the Two-Round Qualification Structure
The Africa Futsal Cup of Nations qualifiers are designed to whittle down the competing nations to the final seven who will join the host country. The process is structured in two distinct rounds, ensuring a fair and competitive path for all involved.
First Round: The Preliminary Battles
In the initial phase, eight teams face off in home-and-away ties. These matchups are crucial for lower-ranked nations to earn their place among the continent’s elite. The first legs were played on January 23, with the return legs concluding on January 28. The four aggregate winners from these ties advance, demonstrating the importance of both home advantage and resilience on the road.
Second Round: The Main Event
This is where the competition intensifies. The four first-round winners join ten pre-seeded teams that received a bye. These 14 teams are then paired into seven knockout ties, all played on a home-and-away basis. The seven aggregate winners from this round will secure their qualification for the 2026 AFCON finals. This format places a premium on tactical consistency and performance under pressure across two legs.
Spotlight on a Key Second-Round Clash: Guinea vs. Algeria
One of the most anticipated ties of the second round of AFCON qualifiers pits Guinea against Algeria. The first leg is scheduled for February 3-4 in Conakry, with the decisive return leg in Algiers on February 7-8. This matchup is a classic encounter between a determined challenger and an established North African force.
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In preparation, the Algerian futsal national team has been meticulous. Under coach Noureddine Benamrouche, the squad has completed intensive training camps at the Elite Sports Gathering and Preparation Center in Fouka. This focus on centralized preparation highlights Algeria’s professional approach and their determination to navigate a tricky away fixture in Guinea before leveraging home support in the return leg.
Complete Second-Round Draw and Qualified Teams
The road to the 2026 Africa Futsal Cup of Nations features a compelling lineup of second-round matches. The ten teams that earned a direct bye to this stage, based on previous rankings or performance, are: Algeria, Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Libya, Ghana, Guinea, Mauritania, Mozambique, and Zambia.
They are joined by the four winners from the first-round ties (Cape Verde/Senegal, Namibia/Kenya, Cameroon/South Sudan, Zimbabwe/Tanzania), creating the following knockout pairings:
- Winner (Cape Verde vs. Senegal) vs. Egypt
- Winner (Namibia vs. Kenya) vs. Libya
- Winner (Cameroon vs. South Sudan) vs. Angola
- Winner (Zimbabwe vs. Tanzania) vs. Côte d’Ivoire
- Ghana vs. Zambia
- Mauritania vs. Mozambique
- Guinea vs. Algeria
The Ultimate Prize: Securing a Spot at AFCON 2026
The stakes for these qualifiers could not be higher. Beyond national pride, participation in the Africa Futsal Cup of Nations is a gateway to global recognition. It offers invaluable high-level competition and serves as a qualifier for the FIFA Futsal World Cup. For the seven victorious teams from the second round, the reward is a place on the continent’s biggest stage in 2026, where they will compete for the title of African champion.
As the action moves to the critical second round in February, fans can expect drama, skill, and intense rivalry. Each match is a step toward glory, and for teams like Algeria and Guinea, their upcoming clash is more than just a qualifier—it’s a battle for continental legitimacy and a dream ticket to AFCON.