The draw for the 2026 U17 Africa Cup of Nations has officially been unveiled, with Africa’s rising football nations discovering their group-stage opponents ahead of the highly anticipated youth tournament.
Organized by the Confederation of African Football, the competition will take place in Morocco and promises to deliver thrilling encounters as the continent’s best young talents battle for supremacy.
The much-anticipated tournament has been scheduled to run from May 13 through to June 2, 2026 in the North Africa country, with 16 teams set to battle for the covetous trophy.
Following the draw at CAF’s headquarters, Cairo, on Wednesday, hosts nation, Morocco have been placed against regional rivals, Tunisia and Egypt, as well as Ethiopia. With home support behind them, Morocco will be aiming to make a strong statement from the outset
Ghana, considered as one of the powerhouse in youth tournament faces a stern test after being paired in a competitive Group D against Senegal, South Africa, and Algeria. The Black Starlets, who has recently struggled to make impact will need to be at their very best to navigate a group packed with tough African teams.
Group B features heavyweights like Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda and DR Congo, making it one of the most balanced groups in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Mali, one of Africa’s most successful youth sides leads Group C and will battle it out with Angola, Tanzania, and Mozambique.
With the draw now complete, teams can shift focus to preparations as they aim to progress to the knockout stages and ultimately lift the continental crown.
Beyond the trophy, the tournament also serves as a key pathway for young players hoping to break onto the global stage. The 2026 edition is shaping up to be a thrilling showcase of Africa’s next generation of football stars.
The tournament will also serve as a qualification pathway to the FIFA U-17 World Cup, with the top ten teams securing tickets for the expanded 48-team tournament in Qatar. It is important to note that, the top two from each group advance to the quarterfinals, automatically qualifying for the World Cup, while the remaining two spots will be decided via play-of between the third-placed teams.
Full draw breakdown
Group A: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia
Group B: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, DR Congo
Group C: Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique
Group D: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana
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