The 2026 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations (U17 AFCON) gets underway on May 13 in Rabat, Morocco, with the hosts set to launch the tournament against Tunisia at the iconic Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium.
The competition, which runs until June 2, will once again shine a spotlight on Africa’s brightest young talents, with national teams battling not only for continental glory but also for coveted qualification spots at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Defending champions Morocco enter the tournament with high expectations after lifting the last edition of the competition. Backed by a rapidly developing football structure and strong youth development systems, the hosts are widely tipped to mount another serious title challenge on home soil.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation continues to receive praise for its investment in infrastructure and grassroots development, which has helped position the country as one of Africa’s emerging football powerhouses.
All eyes will be on Morocco as they look to defend their crown in front of home fans, starting with their opening clash against a determined Tunisian side eager to spoil the party.
This year’s tournament will be staged across two main venues. The Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium will host the opening match, semi-finals, and final, while the Mohammed VI Football Complex will serve as the hub for group-stage fixtures.
As the countdown begins, anticipation is building across the continent for what promises to be another showcase of Africa’s next generation of football stars, with pride, talent, and World Cup dreams all on the line.
Groups below:
- Group A: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia
- Group B: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Uganda, DR Congo
- Group C: Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique
- Group D: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana
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