Morocco officially opened the 2026 U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on May 5, 2026, as the defending champion and host nation. The tournament, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), kicked off with Morocco facing Tanzania in the opening match at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca.
Morocco won the previous edition in 2023, defeating Senegal 2-1 in the final held in Algeria. This year's tournament features 16 teams competing across four cities: Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, and El Jadida.
The opening ceremony included cultural performances and a parade of nations. CAF President Patrice Motsepe praised Morocco's preparations, stating, 'Morocco has once again demonstrated its capacity to host world-class events.'
