The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced a rescheduling of the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by Morocco. Originally slated to begin on April 25, the tournament will now take place from May 13 to June 2, 2026.
According to an official statement on CAF’s website, the adjustment moves the final match to early June, providing teams with an updated window for final preparations.
There will be a North African showdown at the CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 after 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. Two-time winners Cameroon were victors as recently as 2019, while the Ivorians lifted the trophy in 2013.
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.
Mali were champions in 2015 and 2017.
The 2023 winners Senegal headline Group D, where they face 2015 silver medallists South Africa, Algeria and two-time winners Ghana. The latter were champions in 1995 and 1999.
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.
CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026:
GROUP A: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia
GROUP B: Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, DR Congo
GROUP C: Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique
GROUP D: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana
