CAF confirms 16 nations for 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially confirmed the 16 teams that will compete at the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), set to take place in Morocco from April 25 to May 15, 2026.
The tournament will not only crown Africa’s youth champions but also serve as a qualification pathway to the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
With the global event expanded to 48 teams, the top 10 finishers at the continental showpiece will secure tickets to the world stage.
Algeria sealed the final qualification spot after edging Egypt 1-0 at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium, completing the line-up of participating nations.
The 16 qualified teams are: Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, host nation Morocco, Mozambique, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda.
CAF’s qualification structure is divided into six regional zones—UNAF, WAFU A, WAFU B, UNIFFAC, CECAFA, and COSAFA—each staging its own tournament to determine the representatives for the finals.