Morocco 2026 set for kick-off as Africa’s U-17 stars chase World Cup places

The TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 kicks off on Wednesday with 16 teams beginning the race for continental glory and qualification to the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026.

The tournament, which runs from 13 May to 2 June, will be staged under CAF’s new festival-style concept, bringing matches, training and team operations into one integrated setting for participating teams.

Most of the matches will be played at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, with the exception of the opening match, semi-finals and final, as CAF seeks to create a vibrant youth football environment while improving operational efficiency and player development.

The stakes are high, with the eight quarter-finalists automatically qualifying for the FIFA U-17 World Cup. The four third-placed teams from the groups will then play two play-off matches to decide the final two African tickets, ensuring 10 teams from the continent will feature in Qatar.

Hosts and defending champions Morocco headline Group A, where they face Tunisia, Egypt and Ethiopia in what promises to be one of the most competitive pools of the tournament.

Morocco enter the competition as champions after their 2025 triumph and will be under pressure to defend their crown on home soil.

Under coach Tiago Lima Pereira, the hosts are expected to rely on ball dominance, high pressing and fluid attacking movement, with Adam Bougazir, Rami Loukmani and Ilyan Hadidi among the players to watch.

Their opening match against Tunisia is expected to provide an early test of their title credentials. Tunisia, coached by Nadjeh Toumi, are tactically disciplined and will look to frustrate the hosts with compact defending and quick transitions.

Moncef Thabti, Othman Ben Houssein and Yahya Jneidi will be central to their hopes of causing an opening-day shock.

The other Group A fixture sees Egypt take on Ethiopia in a meeting between a former champion and a returning side eager to make an impact.

Egypt, winners in 1997, return with ambitions of restoring their status as a force at this level. Coach Hussein Abdel Latif’s side will look to Mohamed Gamal in attack, Ahmed Safwat in midfield and Alaa Adel in defence as they target a strong start.

Ethiopia are back at the U-17 AFCON for the first time since 2003, making their return one of the major storylines of the tournament.

Benjamin Ziemer’s side qualified after a 3-0 win over Kenya, with Dawit Kassaw Yirdaw, Biyam Abrha and Biruk Eyilachew all scoring in that decisive play-off. Kassaw, joint top scorer in the CECAFA qualifiers, will be one of Ethiopia’s main threats.

Group B also opens with major intrigue as former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon begin their campaigns alongside Uganda and debutants DR Congo.

Côte d’Ivoire arrive as WAFU B champions after beating Ghana on penalties in the final in Yamoussoukro. Bassiriki Diabaté’s side are built around technical quality and mental strength, with Bema Doumbia, Cheick Malo and goalkeeper Adama Diabaté key to their campaign.

Cameroon, two-time winners and UNIFFAC champions, remain one of the strongest names in the competition. Led by former international Alioum Saidou, the Indomitable Cubs bring physical strength, defensive organisation and attacking threat, with Rony Baliag Nougi, Krys Karel, Omar Amir Tsombeng and Essingila Mbinde among their standout players.

Uganda will be looking to go beyond the group stage for the first time after finishing runners-up in the CECAFA qualifiers. Former Ghana international Laryea Kingston leads a side driven by Best Player award winner Owen Mukisa, four-goal forward Thomas Ogema and midfielder Henry Muhoozi.

DR Congo, meanwhile, make their tournament debut after finishing second in the UNIFFAC qualifiers. Denis Makenga Mulamba’s side impressed with wins over Gabon and Central African Republic, while Delpierot Ntali finished as the tournament’s top scorer with three goals.

With former champions, ambitious debutants and returning nations all involved, the opening day is expected to set the tone for a tournament that will showcase Africa’s next generation of football talent.

For the teams, the mission is clear: reach the knockout rounds, secure a World Cup ticket and stay alive in the race to become African champions.