The 2026 edition of the Miabé CAN has officially been launched, with Ghana handed a challenging group alongside Morocco, Benin and Gabon following the tournament draw held on Monday, June 22.
The draw was conducted during a press conference that marked the official launch of the competition, which will feature 20 teams divided into five groups of four. Organisers expect more than 35,000 spectators to attend the tournament across 30 days of competition.
The opening match is scheduled for July 24, with Mali, the tournament’s guest nation of honour, taking on Guinea in what promises to be a highly anticipated curtain-raiser.
This year’s edition will also introduce several innovations, including a partnership with sports equipment manufacturer Track, which unveiled the official tournament ball named Dambé — a Mandingue word symbolising courage, strength, honour and dignity.
Speaking at the launch, tournament promoter Atik Traoré said the objective remains to establish Miabé CAN as a major pan-African event that promotes sporting excellence, cultural exchange and community integration.
“Our ambition has been to firmly position this tournament as a major pan-African event of integration, a true meeting point for different peoples. Through this initiative, we carry strong sporting, cultural and community ambitions because football should be a vehicle for cohesion and cultural expression,” Traoré said.
He added that organisers are looking to take the competition to another level through several new initiatives aimed at improving the experience for both participants and supporters.
Young talent development remains a major focus of the tournament. Official sponsor Track will provide one year of equipment support to all award winners, while the best young player will receive a return ticket to Abidjan and an opportunity to undertake trials at two prestigious football academies.
Miabé CAN 2026 Group Draw
Group A
- Mali
- Guinea
- Burkina Faso
- Congo
Group B
- Chad
- Niger
- Gambia
- Comoros
Group C
- South Africa
- Nigeria
- Equatorial Guinea
- Cameroon
Group D
- Ghana
- Benin
- Gabon
- Morocco
Group E
- Sierra Leone
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Togo
- Rest of Africa (RDA)
With the groups now confirmed, attention turns to preparations ahead of what organisers hope will be the most successful edition of the tournament to date. Ghana will be aiming to navigate a difficult Group D as they pursue the title against some of the continent’s strongest opposition.
