The field for the 2026 U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is now set, with 16 teams securing their places in the tournament. The qualifiers concluded with a final round of matches played across the continent, determining the participants for the youth championship.
According to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the qualified teams include defending champions Senegal, along with Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso, who were the top five nations from the previous edition. Other nations that have qualified are Egypt, Cameroon, South Africa, CΓ΄te d'Ivoire, Zambia, Guinea, Algeria, Tunisia, Congo, Ethiopia, and Niger.
The tournament is scheduled to be hosted by Algeria. It will serve as the African qualifier for the 2027 FIFA U-17 World Cup, with the top four teams earning a spot in the global competition.
Exact dates for the 2026 U17 AFCON have not been officially finalized, but it is expected to be held in the first half of the year. The draw for the group stage will be conducted at a later date.
