CAF unveils festival style format for U 17 AFCON Morocco 2026
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Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 27.04.26. | 12:04
A total of 10 African nations will represent the continent at the global finals in Qatar later in the year
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a new festival-style format for its youth competitions, aimed at integrating matches, training sessions, and team operations within a single centralized environment for participating teams.
The format will debut at the CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2026, scheduled to take place from 13 May to 2 June 2026.
Under the new arrangement, all matches except the opening fixture, semi-finals, and final will be played at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Morocco.
CAF says the model is intended to enhance the overall tournament experience while improving operational efficiency, standardizing delivery, and supporting player development across successive editions.
The final draw for the competition, conducted earlier this month, has produced a competitive group stage featuring several of the continent’s leading youth sides.
Hosts and defending champions Morocco have been placed in Group A alongside Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
Group B features former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, who will compete against Uganda and debutants DR Congo.
In Group C, last year’s runners-up Mali, will face Angola, Mozambique and Tanzania in a balanced pool with no clear favourites.
Group D brings together Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, and two-time champions Ghana in what is widely expected to be one of the most competitive groups of the tournament.
The competition also serves as a qualification pathway to the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026.
The eight quarter-final teams will secure automatic qualification, while the third-placed teams from each group will compete in play-offs to determine the final two African representatives.
A total of 10 African nations will represent the continent at the global finals in Qatar later in the year.
TotalEnergies CAF U 17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 groups
Group A: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia
Group B: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, DR Congo
Group C: Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique
Group D: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana