Two member Associations of Rwanda and Tanzania will host some of the six CECAFA competitions planned for the 2026 season.
Jean Sseninde, the CECAFA Interim Executive Director on Tuesday announced the Member Associations that won hosting rights for the various tournaments.
Tanzania will host the season opening CECAFA U-17 Girls Championship May 30th to June 14th, 2026. Tanzania will also host the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 – CECAFA qualifiers to run August 22nd to September 6th.
Rwanda who last hosted a CECAFA competition five years ago will start by hosting the clubs tournament, the CECAFA Kagame Cup from July 18th to August 9th. The club tournament will also help teams in the Zone prepare ahead of the 2026/2027 CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup.
The CAF African Schools Football Championship – CECAFA qualifiers, CAF Women’s Champions League – CECAFA qualifiers, and the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) – CECAFA qualifiers will all be hosted by Rwanda.
“We are very excited and thank all the different Member Associations who applied to host the different CECAFA competitions,” said Sseninde.
CECAFA are also engaging sponsors and partners to be able to secure funds to be able to include the CECAFA Beach Soccer Championship and the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in the 2026 calendar.
CECAFA 2026 competitions
1 CECAFA U-17 Girls Championship May 30 – June 14
2 CECAFA Kagame Cup July 18 – August 9
3 CAF African Schools Football Championship – CECAFA Qualifiers July 22 – 25
4 AF Women’s Champions League – CECAFA Qualifiers August 22 – September 6
5 U-20 AFCON – CECAFA Qualifiers September 12 – 27
6 U-17 AFCON – CECAFA Qualifiers October 10-25
Not included yet
CECAFA Beach Soccer Championship July
CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup