# African national football team preparations

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/african-national-football-team-preparations
> Updated: 2026-08-19T18:06:44.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

African national football teams continue preparations for various international competitions. 

Algeria has advanced its youth and futsal programs. The U21 national team, led by coach Brahim Hemdani, selected an 18-player squad for the Mediterranean Games in Taranto, Italy. The U17 national team has also organized a training camp in Sidi Moussa from August 20 to August 28 to prepare for the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar. Additionally, the Algerian national futsal team is scheduled to play two friendly matches against Saudi Arabia in Tlemcen and Oran on August 30 and 31 to prepare for the 2026 CAN Futsal.

In Senegal, the U23 national team coach Serigne Saliou Dia has initiated a second selection phase, calling up 23 new players for a training camp at the Youssoupha Ndiaye Excellence Centre to prepare for the U23 Africa Cup of Nations. 

Regarding regulatory compliance, the Guinean Football Federation has denied allegations of age fraud within its U-17 squad, stating that players have been submitted for MRI examinations to ensure compliance with CAF regulations.

## Claims

- The Algerian futsal team will play two friendly matches against Saudi Arabia between August 30 and August 31, 2026. (single source)
- The first match is scheduled for August 30 at 19:00 in Tlemcen, and the second for August 31 at 19:00 in Oran. (single source)
- Algeria qualified for the 2026 CAN Futsal after defeating Guinea with aggregate scores of 4-0 and 7-1. (single source)
- U17 coach Amine Ghimouz has called up 25 players for a training camp in Sidi Moussa from August 20 to August 28. (single source)
- The Algerian U17 team qualified for the 2026 World Cup by reaching the quarterfinals of the 2026 CAN. (single source)
- Algeria is placed in Group J for the U17 World Cup alongside the United States, Chile, and Montenegro. (single source)
- The Guinean Football Federation denied allegations of age fraud within its U-17 squad. (single source)
- The FGF has initiated MRI examinations for its entire squad ahead of official CAF controls in Dakar. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-19: Algerian national teams prepare for upcoming futsal and U17 competitions

Algeria's futsal and U17 teams advance preparations for upcoming continental and global tournaments, while the Guinean Football Federation denies age fraud allegations in its U-17 squad.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/algerian-national-teams-prepare-for-upcoming-futsal-and-u17-competitions

### 2026-08-12: National football teams announce squad selections for upcoming tournaments

Algeria's U21 coach announced an 18-man squad for the Mediterranean Games in Italy, while Senegal's U23 coach called up 23 new players for Africa Cup of Nations preparations.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/national-football-teams-announce-squad-selections-for-upcoming-tournaments

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Cite as: African national football team preparations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/african-national-football-team-preparations