U17 Africa Cup of Nations standings and qualification rules

The 15th edition of the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is currently underway in Morocco, running from 30 March to 19 April.

Below is an updated breakdown of the group standings, qualification rules, and a look at past winners of the tournament.

Current Group standings

Group A

1. Morocco – 3 points (+5)
2. Zambia – 3 points (+3)
3. Tanzania – 0 points (-3)
4. Uganda – 0 points (-5)

Group B

• Burkina Faso
• Cameroon
• South Africa
• Egypt

Group C

• Senegal
• Gambia
• Somalia
• Tunisia

Group D

• Mali
• Angola
• Ivory Coast
• Central African Republic

Tournament format and qualification criteria

The top two teams from each of the four groups will advance to the quarter-finals.

In cases where teams finish with the same number of points, their head-to-head record will determine their ranking rather than overall goal difference.

Path to the U17 World Cup

Africa has been allocated 10 spots for the FIFA U17 World Cup, set to take place in Qatar from 3 to 27 November 2025.

The eight quarter-finalists will automatically qualify for the tournament.

For the final two spots, the teams finishing third in their respective groups will face a playoff to determine the remaining qualifiers.

The third-placed team from Group A will meet the third-placed team from Group C, while the third-placed team from Group B will take on the third-placed team from Group D.

Past champions of the U17 AFCON

Since its inception in 1995, the U17 AFCON has seen nine different nations lift the trophy.

Ghana, Nigeria, Mali, Cameroon, and Gambia have each claimed the title twice.

List of past winners:

• 2023: Senegal
• 2021: Cancelled (Covid-19)
• 2019: Cameroon
• 2017: Mali
• 2015: Mali
• 2013: Ivory Coast
• 2011: Burkina Faso
• 2009: Gambia
• 2007: Nigeria
• 2005: Gambia
• 2003: Cameroon
• 2001: Nigeria
• 1999: Ghana
• 1997: Egypt
• 1995: Ghana

With Africa’s brightest young talents competing in Morocco, the tournament promises to deliver high-quality football as teams battle for continental glory and a place in the U17 World Cup.

The Champions over the last 30 years! ????

Will a new name be added to this #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 edition? pic.twitter.com/WI9VClvSvq

— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) March 27, 2025