U-17 AFCON: Morocco to face Egypt in blockbuster clash in Group A

The draw for the upcoming Africa U-17 Cup of Nations has set the stage for an exciting group stage showdown, with hosts Morocco drawn alongside Egypt in Group A.

Conducted on Wednesday in Cairo, the ceremony placed Morocco and Egypt together with fellow North African side Tunisia, forming what promises to be one of the most challenging groups of the tournament.

Ethiopia completes the quartet, adding further intrigue to a group already packed with regional rivals.

The 16-team competition will be staged in Morocco and serves as a qualification pathway to the FIFA U-17 World Cup scheduled for later this year. Teams will battle not only for continental glory but also for a place on the global stage.

According to the tournament format, the top two teams from each group will progress to the knockout phase. Reaching the quarter-finals guarantees automatic qualification for the 2026 U-17 World Cup, giving added importance to every group-stage fixture.

Teams that finish third in their respective groups will still have a chance to qualify, as they will compete in additional play-off matches to determine the final two World Cup spots.

The full draw has produced several intriguing matchups across all four groups. Group A features Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia.

Group B includes Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In Group C, Mali, Angola, Tanzania, and Mozambique will go head-to-head. Group D rounds out the competition with Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, and Ghana all set to battle for progression.

We’re ready 🌍

Here’s how the #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 groups shape up. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/VRTWKkLLn0

— CAF Online (@CAF_Online) April 8, 2026