The CAF U-17 AFCON Morocco 2026 got under way on Wednesday with more than continental glory at stake as Africa’s brightest young talents battle for 10 coveted places at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar later this year.
The expanded qualification allocation has added a new layer of excitement and intensity to this year’s tournament, with all 16 participating nations aware that a strong run in Morocco could secure a place on the global stage.
Hosts and defending champions Morocco headline a competition that brings together traditional African youth football powers such as Ghana, Mali, Senegal, Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire, alongside ambitious emerging nations including debutants DR Congo and returning Ethiopia.
For the first time in CAF youth competition history, the tournament will also be staged under a new festival-style format introduced by the Confédération Africaine de Football, with the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat serving as the central hub for matches, training and team operations.
The competition, which runs from 13 May to 02 June, is expected to once again showcase the next generation of African football stars, following in the footsteps of players such as Victor Osimhen, Mohamed Salah, Seydou Keita, Samuel Eto’o and Nwankwo Kanu, who all rose through youth football structures before achieving global success.
With eight quarter-finalists automatically qualifying for Qatar 2026 and two additional places available through play-off matches between the third-placed teams in each group, the margin for error has become smaller than ever.
The new qualification structure means that more teams enter the competition with realistic ambitions of reaching the World Cup, increasing the competitiveness across all four groups.
Group A features hosts Morocco alongside regional rivals Tunisia and Egypt, as well as returning Ethiopia in one of the most balanced pools of the tournament.
Morocco enter the competition as defending champions and favourites on home soil after dominating the UNAF qualifiers, while Egypt and Tunisia both carry strong youth football traditions and Ethiopia return to the continental stage for the first time since 2003.
In Group B, former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon are joined by Uganda and debutants DR Congo.
Cameroon arrive as UNIFFAC champions and boast one of the strongest records in the history of the competition, while Côte d’Ivoire carry momentum after winning the WAFU B qualifiers on home soil.
Uganda, coached by former Ghana international Laryea Kingston, are aiming to reach the knockout stages for the first time, while DR Congo hope to continue the momentum from their impressive qualification campaign in Kinshasa.
Last year’s runners-up Mali headline Group C alongside Angola, Mozambique and Tanzania.
Mali remain one of Africa’s most respected youth football nations and are seeking another deep run after reaching the final in the previous edition.
Southern African duo Angola and Mozambique impressed during the COSAFA qualifiers, while Tanzania continue to emerge as one of East Africa’s rapidly improving football nations.
Group D could prove to be the most explosive section of the competition, featuring reigning WAFU A champions Senegal, two-time winners Ghana, South Africa and Algeria.
Senegal enter the tournament as one of the favourites after their recent dominance in youth football, while Ghana’s rich history at U-17 level ensures the Black Starlets remain one of the continent’s most closely watched teams.
South Africa and Algeria will also believe they have the quality to challenge for both knockout qualification and a World Cup place.
Several players are already attracting attention ahead of the tournament, including Morocco’s Adam Bougazir, Cameroon winger Rony Baliag Nougi, Uganda playmaker Owen Mukisa, Ghana midfielder Mark Aboagye and Côte d’Ivoire star Hubert Yao.
The tournament also brings together a strong group of coaches, including former Cameroon international Alioum Saidou and ex-Ghana winger Laryea Kingston, both of whom are helping shape the next generation of African footballers.
All matches of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON Morocco 2026 will be streamed live globally on CAF TV via YouTube, while major broadcasters including SuperSport, Canal+, Azam TV and SABC Sport will also carry coverage across the continent. In the MENA region, matches will be broadcast by beIN Sports.
As the tournament begins in Morocco, the race for continental glory and a ticket to Qatar 2026 promises three weeks of intense competition, emerging talent and unforgettable moments for African football’s next generation.
SOURCE: CAF ONLINE
