Ghana, Uganda, Ethiopia and Mozambique chase final U-17 World Cup places

Ghana, Uganda, Ethiopia and Mozambique will fight for Africa’s final two places at the FIFA U-17 World Cup when the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 play-offs are held on Saturday.

The four sides missed out on the quarter-finals but still have one last route to the global tournament because Africa has been allocated 10 places at the U-17 World Cup.

The eight quarter-finalists have already secured their tickets, leaving the two play-off winners to complete Africa’s list of representatives.

Ethiopia will face Mozambique in the first play-off match at CMVI-T8 at 17:00 local time on 23 May, before Uganda take on Ghana at CMVI-T11 at 20:00.

For all four teams, the matches offer a chance to turn group-stage disappointment into a major achievement.

Ghana enter the play-offs after finishing third in Group D despite ending their group campaign with a 3-1 win over South Africa.

The Black Starlets were level on four points with Algeria, but Algeria took the second automatic qualification spot because of their better goal difference.

That left Ghana outside the quarter-finals, but Joseph Narbi’s penalty double and Augustine Appiah’s late goal against South Africa ensured they remained in the World Cup race.

They will now face Uganda, who also missed the quarter-finals but have one more opportunity to reach the world stage.

Ethiopia’s route to the play-offs came after a dramatic final Group A match against Tunisia.

Amir Misbah scored in stoppage time to give Ethiopia a 1-0 win, moving them level with Egypt on four points.

Egypt, however, advanced to the quarter-finals because of their superior goal difference, leaving Ethiopia to continue their World Cup chase through the play-offs.

Mozambique will stand in their way after also finishing outside the automatic qualification places in the group stage.

The play-offs form part of the expanded qualification route for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, with the quarter-finalists and two additional play-off winners representing Africa.

The quarter-finals will feature Morocco against Cameroon, Senegal against Mali, Côte d’Ivoire against Egypt, and Tanzania against Algeria.

Those eight teams are already assured of World Cup qualification, while Ghana, Uganda, Ethiopia and Mozambique must now win one more match to join them.

U-17 AFCON World Cup play-off fixtures

Saturday, 23 May 2026

Ethiopia U17 v Mozambique U17
Kick-off: 17:00 local time
Venue: CMVI-T8
Prize: Winner qualifies for the FIFA U-17 World Cup

Uganda U17 v Ghana U17
Kick-off: 20:00 local time
Venue: CMVI-T11
Prize: Winner qualifies for the FIFA U-17 World Cup

Quarter-finalists already qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup

Morocco, Cameroon, Senegal, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Tanzania and Algeria