The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially completed the draw for the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, setting the stage for what is expected to be an exciting youth tournament across the continent.
The competition will take place from May 13 to June 2, 2026, with host nation Morocco preparing to welcome some of Africa’s most promising young football talents. The tournament serves as a major platform for upcoming stars to showcase their abilities on the international stage and gain exposure.
Morocco has been placed in Group A, where they will face Ethiopia, Egypt and Tunisia. The group is expected to be competitive, with North African rivals Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia all battling for dominance, while Ethiopia will be hoping to cause an upset.
Group B features former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, alongside Uganda and debutants DR Congo. This group combines experience and fresh energy, with DR Congo making their first appearance and looking to make an immediate impact.
In Group C, Mali will compete against Angola, Tanzania and Mozambique. Mali, known for their strong youth football development, are widely seen as favourites in this group, but the other teams will be eager to challenge them for a place in the knockout stage.
Group D includes Senegal, South Africa, Algeria and Ghana. This group is considered one of the toughest, with several strong football nations competing for just two qualification spots.
According to the tournament format, only the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, making every match crucial.
Meanwhile, Nigeria will not be part of the competition for the second consecutive edition. The absence of the Golden Eaglets is notable, given the country’s strong history in youth football and past successes at the U-17 level.
Full Group List:
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
The tournament is expected to deliver thrilling matches and introduce a new generation of African football stars to the world.
