U17 Africa Cup of Nations 2026 Draw Scheduled for April 8
The highly anticipated draw for the U17 Africa Cup of Nations, set to take place in Morocco in 2026, is scheduled for Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 1 PM local time. This significant event will unfold at the headquarters of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Cairo, Egypt, marking a crucial moment for the participating teams as they will discover their opponents for the tournament.
Fans can catch the live broadcast of the ceremony on CAF TV, ensuring that all football enthusiasts have the opportunity to witness the draw as it happens. Notable players such as Fiston Mayele from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Aliou Dieng from Mali, and Ahmed Belhadji from Morocco will be tasked with the draw, heightening the excitement surrounding the event.
In addition to the host nation, Morocco, the tournament will feature several other qualified teams from various African regions. The teams include Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Uganda from the CECAFA zone; Angola, Mozambique, and South Africa from COSAFA; Senegal and Mali from UFOA A; Ivory Coast and Ghana from UFOA B; Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo from UNIFFAC; and Algeria, Egypt, and Tunisia from UNAF.
This tournament is not just about crowning a champion; it also serves as a gateway for young talents to secure their spots in the upcoming U17 World Cup scheduled in Qatar later in 2026. A total of 16 teams will compete, with the eight quarter-finalists automatically qualifying for the World Cup. Additionally, two more spots will be up for grabs through a playoff involving the four teams that finish third in their respective groups, adding an extra layer of intensity to the competition.
As reported by sport.le360.ma.
