CAF Unveils Innovative Festival Format for U17 Competitions
The African Football Confederation (CAF) has announced a groundbreaking festival format for its youth competitions, aiming to enhance the experience for players and teams alike. This new approach will integrate matches, training sessions, and team operations into a cohesive environment, providing a unique and dynamic tournament atmosphere. The inaugural event under this format will be the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U17, set to take place in Morocco from May 13 to June 2, 2026. Most matches will be held at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, with the exception of the opening match, semi-finals, and final, which will be hosted elsewhere.
This innovative format seeks to boost operational efficiency and ensure a consistent organizational framework while simultaneously facilitating the long-term development of young football talents. The final phase of the tournament will feature a draw that places the teams into four groups. Morocco will be competing in Group A alongside Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia. Group B includes Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, while Group C comprises Mali, Angola, Tanzania, and Mozambique. Lastly, Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, and Ghana will compete in Group D.
Teams that qualify for the quarter-finals will secure their spots in the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 in Qatar, while the third-placed teams will enter playoffs to contend for the last two available berths. Ultimately, a total of ten African nations will represent the continent in the global final phase.
As reported by yabiladi.com.
