Zimbabwe’s National Sports Stadium has been approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host international football matches again, en...
HARARE – Zimbabwe’s National Sports Stadium has been approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host international football matches again, ending a five-year period in which the country was unable to use its main stadium for CAF-sanctioned fixtures.
The stadium has received CAF Category Three approval, allowing it to host international matches. The development provides Zimbabwe with a venue for home fixtures after years of having to stage international games outside the country.
The approval follows extensive refurbishment work at the National Sports Stadium aimed at bringing the facility in line with international football standards.
Advertisement
Zimbabwe’s Government said in its 2026 Mid-Term Budget and Economic Review that the upgrading and refurbishment of the stadium was almost complete, with work including improvements to ablution facilities, changing rooms, turf restoration, turnstiles and the Venue Operations Centre.
The stadium had previously been disapproved by CAF because it did not meet the required standards, forcing Zimbabwe’s national teams to play home matches outside the country.
The return of the National Sports Stadium is expected to benefit the Zimbabwe national team, the Warriors, as they prepare for upcoming international competitions and qualifiers.
The approval also means Zimbabwean supporters can once again watch CAF-sanctioned international football matches at the country’s main sporting venue.
The development comes after a lengthy rehabilitation programme that included work on the playing surface, facilities for teams and officials, access systems and other stadium infrastructure.
The National Sports Stadium’s approval is also significant for Zimbabwe Football Association, which has previously faced financial costs from having to host international matches outside the country. A parliamentary report previously indicated that ZIFA was losing more than US$500,000 per match because Zimbabwe lacked a certified stadium.
The latest CAF approval therefore restores Zimbabwe’s ability to host international football on home soil and gives supporters an opportunity to watch the national team in Harare.
The development follows a test match held at the stadium in May as authorities assessed its operational readiness ahead of its reopening for local and international sporting activities.
