Morocco will begin their 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup campaign with a challenging encounter against Brazil, following the official tournament draw held on Wednesday.
Set to host the competition from 17 October to 8 November, Morocco is one of five African nations that will represent the continent in the tournament.
The North African nation, which will also stage the next four editions of the tournament, was placed in Group A alongside Brazil, Italy, and Costa Rica.
The draw has offered the Moroccan team an immediate test, with their opener against Brazil—a traditional powerhouse in world football—mirroring the fixture their U20 men’s team will face at the World Cup in Chile later this year.
The group also includes Italy, known for their tactical discipline, and Costa Rica, whose youth teams have shown consistent competitiveness in recent years.
Grupos do Mundial Feminino sub-17 definidos. Brasil 🇧🇷 no grupo A com o anfitrião Marrocos🇲🇦, Italia 🇮🇹 e Costa Rica 🇨🇷. Competição ocorre entre os dias 17 de outubro a 08 de novembro. #U17WWC pic.twitter.com/7CYX6H7Tm5
— Raffaella Volpiana (@raffacarolina) June 4, 2025
Cameroon faces perhaps the most daunting task of all the African representatives.
Drawn into what many are calling the ‘group of death’, the Indomitable Lionesses will contest Group B against reigning champions North Korea—who have lifted the trophy three times—European champions the Netherlands, and Mexico.
This marks Cameroon’s third appearance at the tournament, and they will need to be at their best to progress beyond the group stage.
Ivory Coast, meanwhile, finds itself in a slightly more balanced but still testing Group C.
The Ivorians will square off against Spain, the current runners-up and one of the tournament’s most consistent performers, as well as Colombia—finalists in the penultimate edition—and South Korea, who are known for their technically gifted squads.
Group D features Nigeria, one of Africa’s most decorated youth teams.
The Flamingoes, seeded in their group, will meet France, Canada, and Samoa.
Nigeria will aim to leverage their experience on the global stage to push for a strong tournament run.
Zambia completes Africa’s contingent and has been drawn into Group F, where they will face Japan—widely regarded as the most prolific team in the competition’s history—alongside New Zealand and Paraguay.
According to tournament rules, the top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage, along with the four best third-placed teams.
With heavyweight matchups across all groups, Africa’s representatives face a demanding but promising road ahead.
