Morocco Set to Host U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in 2026
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced that Morocco will serve as the host nation for the 2026 edition of the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, which will take place from May 13 to June 2, 2026. This tournament introduces an innovative 'festival' format, designed to enhance the overall organization and experience of the competition for participating teams.
According to the official statement, this new format aims to centralize matches, training sessions, and all organizational activities within a single venue, fostering a vibrant atmosphere throughout the tournament. This strategic move is expected to improve organizational efficiency and create a more cohesive competitive environment, while also supporting the long-term development of young players across Africa.
Most of the matches will be held at the state-of-the-art Mohammed VI Football Complex, with the exception of the opening match, the semi-finals, and the final, which will be staged elsewhere. This concentration of activities is a testament to Morocco's commitment to leveraging its infrastructure for international sporting events.
The tournament draw has produced some intriguing groupings, with the Moroccan national team, as the host and defending champion, placed in Group A alongside Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia. Group B features teams from Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Group C, Mali, last year's runner-up, will compete against Angola, Tanzania, and Mozambique. Meanwhile, Senegal leads Group D, which also includes South Africa, Algeria, and Ghana.
Notably, the top eight teams from this tournament will secure direct qualification for the U-17 World Cup in Qatar in 2026. Additionally, teams finishing in third place will enter play-offs to vie for the last two qualifying spots, potentially bringing the total number of African representatives in the World Cup to ten.
This initiative by CAF reflects its ongoing commitment to improving youth competitions and enhancing both the organizational and technical quality of these events, significantly boosting the profile of African football on the global stage.
As reported by al3omk.com.
