U17 Women’s World Cup 2025: African teams discover group stage opponents

The stage is set for the 2025 U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, running from October 17 to November 8, with the draw revealing intriguing challenges for the continent’s representatives.

Five African nations will compete in the tournament: host Morocco, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Zambia, and Nigeria.

Morocco earned automatic qualification as hosts, while the other four teams secured their spots through rigorous continental qualifying rounds, showcasing the growing strength of women’s youth football across Africa.

Morocco, drawn into Group A, faces a daunting opening match against Brazil on October 17 at 20:00 local time at the annex stadium of the Prince Moulay Abdellah complex.

The North African side will also compete against Italy and Costa Rica in the group stage, providing an early test of the squad’s capabilities on the global stage.

Coach and fans alike will be hoping that the home advantage can help the team navigate this challenging group.

Cameroon has been placed in Group B alongside North Korea, Mexico, and the Netherlands.

The Indomitable Lionesses will face a mix of disciplined Asian and European sides, promising highly competitive encounters as they aim to advance beyond the group phase.

Nigeria, a traditional powerhouse in African women’s football, finds itself in Group D with Canada, France, and Samoa.

The Super Falcons’ U17 squad will be expected to carry the continent’s hopes forward, taking on some of the tournament’s strongest teams from North America and Europe.

The Ivory Coast is positioned in Group E alongside Spain, Colombia, and South Korea. The Elephantes will face a blend of technical and fast-paced teams, which will test their tactical awareness and resilience in high-stakes matches.

Meanwhile, Zambia joins Group F with Japan, New Zealand, and Paraguay, facing a challenging mix of disciplined Asian and Oceania teams in pursuit of a historic performance at this level.

The U17 Women’s World Cup offers a platform for young African players to showcase their talent on the international stage.

With emerging stars in each squad, these teams have the opportunity to demonstrate the progress of women’s football across the continent, competing against some of the best youth teams in the world.

Fans can expect a blend of excitement, technical skill, and tactical battles, as the African representatives aim to make their mark in Morocco.

For the host nation, the opening match against Brazil promises a memorable start to the tournament, while other African teams will look to navigate tough groups to reach the knockout stages and secure a place in history.

Full Group Stage Draw:

• Group A: Morocco, Brazil, Italy, Costa Rica

• Group B: North Korea, Mexico, Cameroon, Netherlands

• Group C: USA, Ecuador, China, Norway

• Group D: Nigeria, Canada, France, Samoa

• Group E: Spain, Colombia, South Korea, Ivory Coast

• Group F: Japan, New Zealand, Zambia, Paraguay

The tournament will not only highlight Africa’s talent but also provide invaluable experience for these young players as they aim to compete at the highest level and inspire the next generation of women’s footballers.