Africa’s 10 representatives confirmed for 2026 FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar

Ten African nations will compete at the 2026 FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar, which will take place from 19 November to 13 December.

Eight teams qualified by reaching the quarter-finals of the Africa U17 Cup of Nations in Morocco, while Mozambique and Uganda secured the continent’s final two places through the play-offs.

Each country must submit a final squad of 21 players. Algeria, Egypt and Morocco have announced their selections, while the other seven teams are still completing their preparations or finalising their groups.

| Team | Squad status | Expected announcement | |||| | Algeria | Published | 6 November 2026 | | Cameroon | Not published | – | | Cote d’Ivoire | Not published | – | | Egypt | Published | 7 November 2026 | | Mali | Not published | – | | Morocco | Published | 3 November 2026 | | Mozambique | Not published | – | | Senegal | Not published | – | | Tanzania | Not published | – | | Uganda | Not published | – |

Algeria return after 17 years

Algeria will appear at the U17 World Cup for the first time in 17 years. Head coach Amine Ghimouza announced his squad on 6 November 2026, with several players who featured in earlier training camps left out.

The young Fennecs will be looking to make an impression on their return to the global stage.

Goalkeepers: Ivan Guemdani, Nazim Benmedjdoub, Yazid Tifrani Defenders: Ayoub Dahmas, Anas Belkanichi, Mahmoud Noubli, Kenzo Brignone, Ilyes Mekkaoui, Noam Benramdane Midfielders: Ramy Benkhiat, Walid Nechab, Rayan Zidane, Ilyes Grini, Adam Benali, Nazim Benghezel Forwards: Yacine Abed, Melwane Zaidi, Zadig Bendiab, Khalil Touali, Mahdi Maghlout, Sid Ali Kadouri

Cameroon begin final preparations

Cameroon’s U17 squad travelled from Yaounde to Qatar on Saturday, 7 November. Captain Chris Karele was among the group led by head coach Thomas Libii and his technical staff.

The delegation has 29 members, including 17 players from the Cameroon Youth Championship. The remaining members of the squad are due to join the team in Doha.

Cote d’Ivoire await official squad

Cote d’Ivoire have continued their preparations without yet confirming the date of their final squad announcement.

The Elephanteaux have held several training camps and played preparation matches in Europe before completing their programme with a final internal camp in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, at the start of November.

Their squad is expected to include players from the domestic league alongside youngsters based abroad.

Egypt name Ahmed Safwat as captain

Egypt head coach Hussein Abdel-Latif announced his World Cup squad on 7 November 2026.

Captain Ahmed Safwat, an attacking midfielder from Zamalek, is one of the team’s leading players after impressing at the Africa U17 Cup of Nations. He stood out for his creativity, passing and ability to unlock defensive teams.

Goalkeepers: Malek Amr, Mohamed Eid, Abdelaziz Mahmoud Defenders: Mohamed El Sayed, Adam Youssef, Amir Hassan, Adel Alaa, Ezzat Abdelaziz, Mohamed Gamal Midfielders: Ahmed Bashir, Omar Abdelrahim, Seif Karim, Youssef Abdallah, Daniel Tamer, Ziad Saudi, Ahmed Safwat, Adham Haseeb Forwards: Khaled Mokhtar, Amir Abou El Ezz, Khaled Mahmoud, Abdelaziz Khaled

Mali squad still to be confirmed

Mali will play in Group G alongside Belgium, New Zealand and Vietnam.

The Aiglonnets have a strong record in youth football, but the Federation malienne de football (Femafoot) has not yet released its full list of 21 players.

Morocco name 21-player group

Morocco were among the first African teams to announce their squad, with head coach Ahmed Kantari naming 21 players on Tuesday, 3 November 2026.

Forward Ziyad Baha, who also appeared at the previous U17 World Cup, is preparing for his second tournament at this level. His experience will be important to the Lionceaux de l’Atlas after their promising run at the Africa U17 Cup of Nations.

Goalkeepers: Adam Mouak, Rayan Yaakoubi, Mohamed Harouch Defenders: Adam Bouahdadi, Ayman Ezzakry, Wael Jassim Jolissaint, Mehdi Moustapha Lahmadi, Ali Saif Eddine Machfouk, Adam Soudi, Mohamed Habib Zinbi Midfielders: Bilal Affas, Ilian Hadidi, Nassim Laarej, Mohamed-Amine Obakrim, Imran Talai Forwards: Ziyad Baha, Ismail El Aoud, Anass El Khazri, Wahib El Antary, Rami Lougmani, Ibrahim Rabbaj

Mozambique led by Diego Elias Pelembe

Mozambique reached the World Cup after winning one of the Africa U17 Cup of Nations play-off places, but their full 21-player squad has not yet been published.

Captain Diego Elias Pelembe is expected to be one of the players to watch. The midfielder is the son of Elias “Domingues” Pelembe and scored twice at the continental tournament. His tactical awareness and ability to organise play have made him a key figure for the Petit Mambas.

Senegal use 26-player training squad

Senegal head coach Lamine Sane has called up 26 players for a residential training camp running from 2 to 8 November 2026 at the Jules-Francois Bocande Technical Development Centre in Toubab Dialaw.

The Federation senegalaise de football said the group includes several players who have recently been involved with the U20 side. The camp will allow the technical staff to continue assessing their options before reducing the squad to 21 players.

Tanzania prepare for historic debut

Tanzania will make their first appearance at a U17 World Cup after reaching the final of the 2026 Africa U17 Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Coach Elieneza Nsanganzelu’s team will face Brazil, Ireland and Costa Rica in Group I. The Serengeti Boys’ final squad has not yet been announced.

Uganda continue selection process

Uganda qualified through the Africa U17 Cup of Nations play-offs. Coach Laryea Kingston began preparations with a provisional group of 35 players, giving his staff the opportunity to assess a wide range of options.

The Federation ougandaise de football (FUFA) has yet to publish the final 21-player squad.

The tournament will give Africa 10 representatives, including Algeria on their return after 17 years and Tanzania in their first appearance. Mali, Morocco, Senegal and Cameroon will also look to build on their experience in international youth football when the competition begins in Qatar.