The upcoming TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, set to take place in Morocco from May 13 to June 2, 2026, promises to deliver thrilling matchups, particularly within Group A. In an enticing draw, the host nation Morocco will face off against traditional rivals Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia. This group stage, held at the Mohammed VI Complex in Rabat, is expected to be fiercely competitive, reminiscent of the recent UNAF qualifiers in Libya, where Morocco emerged victorious.
The Final Draw, which took place at the CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, featured the participation of notable African football stars including Fiston Mayele from Pyramids FC (DR Congo), Aliou Dieng of Al Ahly (Mali), and Ahmed Belhadji from Ceramica Cleopatra (Morocco). As the tournament progresses, only the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, heightening the stakes for all participating squads.
In Group B, former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon will compete alongside Uganda and the debuting DR Congo. Cameroon, a two-time champion, last lifted the trophy in 2019, while Côte d’Ivoire has a rich history with their 2013 victory. Meanwhile, Group C features last year’s runners-up Mali, who will contend with Southern Africa’s Angola and Mozambique, as well as East Africa’s Tanzania. Mali, who previously won the tournament in 2015 and 2017, will be eager to reclaim their title.
Group D is headlined by the reigning champions Senegal, who will face a robust challenge from the 2015 silver medallists South Africa, as well as Algeria and the accomplished Ghana, two-time winners from 1995 and 1999. The competition is set to be fierce, with each team vying for a spot in the quarter-finals.
Moreover, the eight quarter-finalists will automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup, scheduled to be held in Qatar later this year. Teams finishing in third place within their pools will have the opportunity to compete in playoff matches to secure the final two spots in the World Cup. With ten African nations expected to participate in the global finals, the excitement surrounding this tournament continues to build.
For a complete breakdown of the groups and further updates, visit the official CAF website. As reported by cafonline.com.
