馃嚥馃嚘MoroccoNorth Africa
CAF denies 28-team expansion for AFCON 2027, confirms 24 nations
via Le Matin1 min read
The Confederation of African Football CAF has clarified that the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON will feature 24 national teams, refuting media reports that suggested an expansion to 28 teams. Following a press conference held by CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe, some outlets had indicated a potential increase in participants. CAF issued an official statement to correct these inaccuracies, confirming that the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027 will maintain the current 24-team format. This format, which has been in place since the 2019 edition, involves 24 nations divided into six groups of four teams. The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, will advance to the round of 16. The 2027 tournament will be historically significant as it will be co-hosted by three nations: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The competition is scheduled to take place from June 19 to July 17, 2027, with qualifiers expected to run from September 2026 to March 2027.
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The Atlas Lionesses of Morocco are approaching the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations with the unprecedented status of title contenders, fueled by recent progress and the ambition to secure their first continental crown on home soil. Finalists in the last two editions, the Moroccan team has established itself among Africa's top teams through consistent technical, tactical, and physical development. This evolution is a result of a development strategy implemented by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation FRMF, which has made women's football a major focus of its sports project. After reaching the 2022 WAFCON final, also held in Morocco, and confirming this status in the subsequent edition, the Lionesses enter this new campaign with increased experience and maturity. They also made history by qualifying for the round of 16 at the 2023 Women's World Cup in their first participation, becoming the first Arab team to advance past the group stage of a Women's World Cup. For this WAFCON, Morocco has numerous advantages. The Lionesses will benefit from playing in front of their home crowd, a support that was crucial during their remarkable 2022 run. They also have a squad now accustomed to major continental and international events, with a mix of experience and youth, featuring several players competing in top national and foreign leagues. The development of the national women's league, the rise of clubs like AS FAR, two-time African champions in 2022 and 2025, and investments in trai
Must ReadThe African Development Bank AfDB Group and the Fonds d'茅quipement communal FEC signed a second loan agreement for 150 million euros in Rabat. This funding aims to strengthen investments by local governments, enabling the FEC to finance sustainable, inclusive, and resilient infrastructure projects. These projects include rural roads, drinking water networks, urban renewal operations, and educational and sociocultural facilities. The objective is to improve public services, especially in rural areas, facilitate access to essential services, enhance climate change resilience, and promote job creation and local investment. The ceremony also included a grant agreement and a letter of intent to establish long-term strategic cooperation. The AfDB will also provide technical assistance to the FEC to boost its operational capabilities. Achraf Tarsim, AfDB Group Country Manager for Morocco, stated that these agreements reflect a shared ambition to support local governments as development drivers, prioritizing the acceleration of sustainable and resilient infrastructure. Omar Lahlou, Governor and Director General of the FEC, highlighted the reinforced trust between the two institutions, emphasizing their shared values of sustainable development. These operations align with the Kingdom's development priorities and the AfDB Group's four cardinal points, aiming to support socioeconomic development and improve the quality of life for local populations.
Must ReadThe United States has imposed new tariffs of 10% or 12.5% on certain products from approximately 60 countries, effective Friday at 00:01 04:01 GMT. Goods already en route to the US will be exempt if they arrive before July 28, 00:01. China, among the countries facing a 12.5% tariff, has expressed opposition to these new taxes and any "trade war." The European Union, subject to a 10% tariff, welcomed the outcome as consistent with US commitments in last year's trade agreement between Brussels and Washington, according to the European Commission. Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and Norway have criticized these new customs barriers. These surtaxes replace temporary 10% tariffs imposed in February by the Trump administration after the Supreme Court annulled most surtaxes decreed since its return to the White House. The new measures stem from an investigation launched in mid-March by US Trade Representative USTR Jamieson Greer to determine if US trading partners had eliminated products from forced labor from their supply chains. Greer stated on CNN that the goal is to end trade in such products, ensuring fair competition. Countries with legislation deemed incomplete by the US, including the EU, UK, Mexico, and Canada, face a 10% tariff on some products. Approximately 40 other countries, such as China, Japan, Switzerland, and South Korea, will see their products taxed at 12.5%. Energy and raw materials not produced in the US are expected to be excluded. International trade lawyer Gr