FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Focus shifts to the second round
The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026 qualifiers delivered some interesting results as the race to qualification continues ahead of the global showpiece.
Sixteen teams remain, all chasing one clear objective: securing one of the four qualification spots for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup scheduled for 17 October to 7 November 2026.
From the first-leg matches, intentions were clear. Cameroon crushed Algeria (5–1), Guinea won a thrilling encounter against Niger (5–2), while Tanzania and Ghana gained strong advantages.
Meanwhile, tighter contests between Senegal vs Tunisia (1–1) and Côte d’Ivoire vs Sierra Leone (0–0) left everything open.
But it was in the second legs that everything changed.
The biggest shock was produced by Benin who after losing 3–1 in the first leg, overturned Burkina Faso with an emphatic 4–0 victory, powered by a four-goal performance from Romaine Gandonou.
Soon after, Sierra Leone won away in Côte d’Ivoire (2–1), sealing qualification in the final seconds - dramatic scenarios indeed.
Cameroon confirmed their superiority with 6–0, Ghana cruised 6–0, as did Ethiopia. Zambia, Kenya, and Uganda also secured qualification convincingly.
In a tighter contest, Senegal overcame Tunisia (2–1), while Tanzania and Burundi also progressed.
Attention now turns to the second round (22–31 May), featuring the entry of heavyweights such as Nigeria and South Africa.
Second-round fixtures – FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026 qualifiers
- Guinea vs Nigeria
- Benin vs Sierra Leone
- Senegal vs Cameroon
- Liberia vs Ghana
- Zambia vs DR Congo
- Ethiopia vs Burundi
- Tanzania vs South Africa
- Kenya vs Uganda
First-round results – FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026 qualifiers
First legs
10 April
Botswana 2–3 Tanzania
Scorers: B. Setuket (38’), H. Lesotho (70’ pen) / F. Hassan (14’), B. Steven (41’), Z. Mlekwa (45+4’)
11 April
Tunisia 1–1 Senegal
Scorers: Y. Ayachi (49’) / M. Diop (27’)
Malawi 1–2 Burundi
Scorers: E. Fabiano (14’) / B. Nikokwizera (25’), I. Tuyishemeze (50’)
Burkina Faso 3–1 Benin
Scorers: S. Rinahata (7’, 14’), D. Simpore (20’) / R. Gandonou (70’)
Sierra Leone 0–0 Côte d’Ivoire
12 April
South Sudan 0–2 Ethiopia
Scorers: Gizachew (23’), Ayele (33’)
Zimbabwe 0–2 Uganda
Scorers: Acen (11’), Nameseruka (15’)
Namibia 1–2 Kenya
Scorers: K. Awases (84’) / L. Week (3’), F. Boke (6’)
Algeria 1–5 Cameroon
Scorers: D. Benkhellat (11’) / V. Ebot (33’), R. Nkenhoung (48’, 60’), M. Bikie (67’), A. Mimbama (86’)
Togo 0–2 Ghana
Scorers: P. Mensah (16’, 64’)
14 April
Niger 2–5 Guinea
Scorers: Oumara Issaka Rakia (45’, 90+5’) / A. Touré (19’, 26’, 33’), A. Kouyaté (58’), N. Camara (73’)
17 April
Rwanda 0–2 Zambia
Scorers: M. Precious (6’), G. Phiri (19’)
Second legs
17 April
Benin (Q) 4–0 Burkina Faso
Scorers: R. Gandonou (36’, 49’, 59’, 90’)
Côte d’Ivoire 1–2 Sierra Leone (Q)
Scorers: A. Boka (32’) / M. Sengeh (83’), M. Tua (90+4’)
18 April
Uganda (Q) 4–1 Zimbabwe
Scorers: B. Nassaka (10’), I. Acen (34’), G. Aketogwanga (43’), T. Mora (85’) / S. Gwenhamo (45+1’)
Burundi (Q) 2–1 Malawi
Scorers: K. Nshizahabona (8’), L. Kezimana (12’)
Kenya (Q) 5–0 Namibia
Scorers: B. Achieng (46’, 68’, 81’), E. Adhiambo (54’), E. Opiya (90+2’)
Senegal (Q) 2–1 Tunisia
Scorers: M. Faty (28’), D. Diene (52’) / R. Ben Mabrouk (63’)
Ghana (Q) 6–0 TogoScorers: J. Gyekyewaa (7’), Z. Shani (14’, 43’), S. Amadu (20’), P. Mensah (77’), S. Wahab (90+3’)
Guinea (Q) 3–0 Niger
Scorers: A. Touré (37’, 41’), F. Soumah (78’)
Cameroon (Q) 6–0 Algeria
Scorers: T. Sekem Mindzie (13’, 45+1’, 53’), A. Mimbama (18’, 60’, 76’)
19 April
Ethiopia (Q) 6–0 South Sudan
Scorers: S. Teshome (6’), A. Mihret (44’, 53’, 72’), L. Daniel (84’, 90+4’)
Tanzania (Q) 3–0 Botswana
Scorers: B. Steven (60’, 90+3’), H. Juma (83’)
22 April
Zambia (Q) 2–1 Rwanda
Scorers: F. Kapulungo (74’), N. Kasema (82’) / S. Uwabeza (9’)
Note: Liberia, South Africa, and DR Congo advanced directly to the next round following the withdrawals of Libya, Djibouti, and the Central African Republic.