2022 World Cup Qualifiers Postponed To September

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has postponed the 2022 World Cup opening matches that were set for June and this has seen the warriors matches postponed to September.

According to a statement from the CAF, the CAF Emergency Committee reached this decision in consultation with FIFA after taking into consideration the disruptions caused by coronavirus.

“The CAF Emergency Committee, in consultation with FIFA, decided to postpone the CAF qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 that were due to be played in June 2021 after taking into consideration the current challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the need to ensure the optimal playing conditions for all participating teams.” The statement read.

The matches will now take place starting in November.

“The qualifiers will now take place in the existing windows of September, October and November 2021, and March 2022.” CAF said.

The administrative and controlling body for African association football said details on the updated match schedule will be provided in due course.

“CAF is reassessing its protocols and processes to enhance the implementation of COVID-related protocols, including specifically focusing on pre-match testing which had been the source of some challenges in previous windows. Full details on the updated match schedule will be provided in due course,” The statement further read.

The postponement comes in the background of a stadium crisis that has gripped the continent in the run up to the global football qualifiers.

CAF this week banned several stadiums that failed to meet minimum requirements and the situation could have seen some countries, that are participating in the second round group stages, being forced to play their home matches on neutral venues.