The 2026 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco will kick off from 13 May to 02 June 2026 at the Mohammed VI Complex in Rabat with 16 teams in the race for continental glory.
The countries include Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, DR Congo, Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique, Senegal, South Africa, Algeria and Ghana.
Once again, the most successful national team in the world at this level, the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria will be conspicuously missing at the cadet championship.
During the final draw held at CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, the hosts Morocco were drawn with Tunisia, Egypt and Ethiopia in Group A for the finals.
Former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon are in Group B along with Uganda and debutants DR Congo while last year’s runners-up Mali are in Group C along with the Southern African duo of Angola and Mozambique, as well as East African side Tanzania.
The 2023 winners Senegal headline Group D, where they face 2015 silver medallists South Africa, Algeria and two-time winners Ghana.
The draw was conducted by the current African stars Fiston Mayele (Pyramids FC and DR Congo), Aliou Dieng (Al Ahly and Mali) and Ahmed Belhadji (Ceramica Cleopatra and Morocco).
The eight quarter-finalists automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup to be played in Qatar later this year, while the teams that finish third in their pools will take part in two play-off matches to determine the final two qualifiers.