Tanzania has won the rights to host the East and Central Africa (CECAFA) Under 17 Girls championships slated for May 30-June14 this year.
The Confederation of East and Central Africa Football Association at the same time announced on Tuesday that Tanzania will also host the CAF U-20 – CECAFA qualifiers to run August 22nd to September 6th.
Jean Sseninde, the CECAFA Interim Executive Director said Rwanda and Tanzania will host most of the six CECAFA competitions planned for the 2026 season.
Rwanda who last hosted a CECAFA competition five years ago will host the CECAFA Kagame inter c;ubs 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 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) – CECAFA qualifiers will also be played in Rwanda.
“We are very excited and thank all the different Member Associations who applied to host the different CECAFA competitions,” says 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
