South Africa announce final squad for U-17 AFCON

Head coach Vela Khumalo has unveiled South Africa’s final squad for the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), set to take place in Morocco.

The team is currently in camp in South Africa, stepping up preparations ahead of their departure to North Africa in the coming days as they fine-tune their build-up for the continental competition.

South Africa, who previously featured at the FIFA U-17 World Cup with an earlier generation of players, have been drawn in a demanding Group D alongside Senegal, Ghana and Algeria.

The tournament will run from 13 May to 2 June, with eligibility restricted to players born on or after 1 January 2009.

Coach Vela Khumalo announces his final squad who will represent South Africa at the U17 AFCON 2026 tournament which will be taking place in Morocco between 13 May and 2 June 2026.@adidasza @standardbanksa @adidasfootball pic.twitter.com/ni9QL077We

— SAFA.net (@SAFA_net) May 8, 2026

Beyond continental glory, the competition also serves as a qualification pathway to the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar later this year, with the top 10 teams from the tournament earning tickets to the global showpiece.