African Teams Set for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco 2026
In a thrilling qualification journey, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Zambia have successfully secured their spots for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, which is set to take place in Morocco from October 17 to November 7, 2026. This marks the tenth edition of the tournament and promises to showcase emerging talent from around the globe.
The African qualification phase commenced in April, featuring 22 national teams competing for the coveted four slots available. After navigating through the initial two rounds, the qualifying teams faced off in home-and-away matchups to determine the representatives from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The final lineup for the tournament consists of 24 teams, including the host nation, Morocco, along with five teams from Europe, four from Asia, four from North America, four from South America, and two from Oceania. This diverse representation underscores the global nature of the tournament and the growing interest in women's football.
Highlights from the CAF's Third Round of Qualifiers
The decisive matches of the CAF qualifiers showcased intense competition and dramatic finishes:
- Senegal vs. Ghana: The two teams ended with a 1-1 draw on aggregate, but Ghana triumphed 7-6 in a nail-biting penalty shootout, marking their return to the competition for the first time since Uruguay 2018.
- Kenia vs. South Africa: After a 2-0 victory in the first leg, Kenya managed to secure a 3-1 aggregate win, ensuring their return to the tournament for the second time in history.
- Nigeria vs. Benin: In a high-scoring affair, Nigeria emerged victorious with an 8-5 aggregate win, clinching their ninth appearance in the final phase of the tournament.
- Zambia vs. Ethiopia: Zambia defeated Ethiopia with a narrow 3-2 aggregate victory, marking their third consecutive participation in the U-17 Women's World Cup.
The journey to the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup is a significant milestone for these teams, reflecting their dedication and resilience in promoting women's football. Fans can look forward to an exciting tournament in Morocco, where young talents will take center stage on the world stage.
As reported by fifa.com.
