The Confederation of African Football (CAF) released the group stage draw for the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), billed for 13 May to 2 June in Morocco.
The draw took place at CAF headquarters in Cairo on Wednesday and was later published on the organisation’s website.
Hosts Morocco headline Group A in a fierce North African clash that also includes Tunisia, Egypt and Ethiopia. Only the top two sides from each group will reach the quarter-finals, setting the tone for an intense opening round.
Former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon lead the charge in Group B, where they will face Uganda and tournament debutants DR Congo.
In Group C, Mali, champions in 2015 and 2017 and runners-up last year, are paired with Angola, Mozambique and Tanzania. Group D is topped by defending champions Senegal, who will battle South Africa, Algeria and Ghana.
Eight teams that reach the quarter-finals will qualify automatically for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar. The four third-placed teams will then feature in play-off matches to decide the final two African slots, taking the continent’s representation to ten nations.
Nigeria will miss the tournament for the second straight edition. The Golden Eaglets fell 2-0 to Ghana in the semi-finals of the WAFU Zone B qualifiers in September 2025, ending their hopes of reaching the finals.
What do you think about this?
Drop your opinion in the comment section.
Share this with someone who needs to see this.