By Africalivenews
Nigeria has been confirmed as the host nation for the 2026 CAF Ordinary General Assembly, bringing football leaders from across the continent together to deliberate on key issues affecting the development and administration of African football.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed the decision following a virtual meeting of its Executive Committee chaired by CAF President Patrice Motsepe on Friday, October 2, 2026.
The Ordinary General Assembly is scheduled to take place in Nigeria on Saturday, November 21, with representatives of CAF’s 54 member associations expected to attend the important gathering.
The annual assembly serves as one of the most significant meetings on the African football calendar, providing member associations with an opportunity to discuss the direction of the continental governing body and consider issues affecting the sport.
Football leaders and representatives from across Africa are expected to converge in Nigeria for discussions on CAF’s competitions, governance, development programmes and other matters concerning the future of the game.
The meeting comes at a time when CAF continues to implement reforms aimed at improving the organisation and management of football competitions across the continent.
The governing body has also been working on its long-term competitions calendar, with the Executive Committee recently approving a new schedule covering the 2026 to 2030 period.
The extended calendar includes major national team tournaments, club competitions, women’s football, youth competitions and specialised formats, alongside the newly introduced African Nations League.
The Ordinary General Assembly will therefore provide an important platform for member associations to consider the organisation’s progress and discuss plans for the years ahead.
Nigeria’s selection as host also means the country will stage more than one major CAF event in 2026.
The West African nation has already been confirmed as the host of this year’s CAF Awards, which will take place in Lagos on Monday, December 7.
The CAF General Assembly will precede the awards ceremony by just over two weeks, placing Nigeria at the centre of African football activities towards the end of the year.
The General Assembly is expected to attract senior football administrators, national association presidents and other key stakeholders from across the continent.
The gathering will also provide an opportunity for CAF officials to engage directly with representatives of its member associations on issues affecting football at both continental and national levels.
Among the issues expected to feature prominently are the organisation of CAF competitions, football development, administrative reforms and initiatives aimed at strengthening the sport across Africa.
The meeting could also provide an avenue for member associations to raise concerns and make proposals regarding the development of football within their respective regions.
CAF’s 54 member associations play an important role in the governance of African football, and the Ordinary General Assembly remains a key mechanism through which the continental body engages its members.
The decisions and discussions at the assembly could therefore have implications for national teams, clubs, players and other stakeholders involved in the game.
The meeting also comes during a period of significant activity for CAF, with several major competitions taking place and preparations underway for future tournaments.
CAF is currently looking ahead to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027.
The organisation has also begun preparations for future editions of the tournament, including the bidding process for the 2028, 2032 and 2036 AFCON editions.
The broader restructuring and planning of CAF competitions is expected to remain an important part of the organisation’s agenda as it seeks to provide greater certainty for national associations, clubs, broadcasters and commercial partners.
The November 21 gathering in Nigeria will therefore come at an important stage in CAF’s long-term planning.
For Nigeria, hosting the General Assembly and CAF Awards within the same period represents a significant opportunity to strengthen its position as an important football hub on the continent.
The country has a long and distinguished football history and has produced several successful national teams, clubs and players who have made an impact both in Africa and internationally.
The hosting of two major CAF events will also place the country in the spotlight as football leaders and stakeholders from across the continent arrive for the respective programmes.
The latest decision was part of a series of resolutions adopted by the CAF Executive Committee concerning competitions and the organisation’s forward calendar.
With the Ordinary General Assembly scheduled for November 21, attention will now turn to preparations for the gathering and the agenda to be considered by CAF’s member associations.
The meeting is expected to provide an important opportunity for African football leaders to review progress, address challenges and shape strategies for the continued development of the sport.
As CAF works towards building a more structured and sustainable football environment across the continent, the decisions taken at the Ordinary General Assembly could play an important role in determining the organisation’s priorities for the coming years.
Nigeria will therefore take centre stage in November as CAF’s 54 member associations come together to discuss the future of African football.
