The race for qualification to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026 begins this Friday, with 24 African nations entering the first round of qualifiers across the continent.
The tournament, scheduled to take place from 17 October to 7 November 2026 in Morocco, will see five African teams — including the host nation — secure places at the global finals.
With home-and-away ties spread over several days, teams will be aiming to gain early advantages in the first-leg fixtures before decisive return matches.
First legs
The opening round begins on 10 April, when Botswana host Tanzania at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown.
A busy schedule follows on 11 April, with several fixtures taking place across the continent. Tunisia face Senegal in Monastir, while Malawi take on Burundi in Lilongwe. Niger host Guinea in Niamey, Burkina Faso meet Benin in Ouagadougou, and Sierra Leone face Cote d’Ivoire in Yamoussoukro.
On 12 April, attention shifts to further ties, including South Sudan against Ethiopia in Juba and Zimbabwe hosting Uganda. Namibia take on Kenya, while Algeria face a stern test against Cameroon in Blida. Togo and Ghana complete the day’s fixtures in Lomé.
The first-leg phase concludes on 17 April, when Rwanda host Zambia in Kigali.
Return leg
The return fixtures begin on 17 April, with Benin facing Burkina Faso, Senegal hosting Tunisia, and Ivory Coast taking on Sierra Leone.
On 18 April, several decisive matches will determine progression, including Kenya against Namibia, Uganda versus Zimbabwe, and Burundi hosting Malawi. Ghana face Togo in Accra, while Guinea meet Niger and Cameroon take on Algeria.
The final round of second-leg fixtures continues on 19 April, with Ethiopia hosting South Sudan and Tanzania facing Botswana.
The last match of the round takes place on 22 April, when Zambia host Rwanda in Ndola.
Direct qualifications
Three teams — Liberia, South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo — have already advanced to the next round following the withdrawal of Libya, Djibouti and the Central African Republic.
Race for Morocco 2026 intensifies
With places at the global tournament at stake, the qualifiers offer young African talents a platform to showcase their ability on the international stage.
As the competition unfolds, teams will be looking to balance attacking ambition with defensive discipline, knowing that small margins could determine progression.
The road to Morocco 2026 has now begun — and for many of these nations, it represents the first step towards competing on the world stage.
Full Fixture List
First Leg Fixtures (All times GMT)
April 10
Botswana 2-3 Tanzania
Scorers: B. Setuket (38′), H. Lesotho (70′ p) / F. Hassan (14′), B.Steven (41′), Z. Mlekwa (45+4)
April 11
Tunisia 1-1 Senegal
Scorers : Y.Ayachi (49′) / M.Diop (27′)
Malawi 1-2 Burundi
Scorers : E. Fabiano (14′) / B. Nikokwizera (25′), I. Tuyishemeze (50′)
Burkina Faso 3-1 Benin
Scorers : S. Rinahata (7′, 14′), D. Simpore (20′) / R. Gandonou (70′)
Sierra Leone 0-0 Ivory Coast
April 12
South Sudan 0-2 Ethiopia
Scorers : Gizachew (23′), Ayele (33′)
Zimbabwe 0-2 Uganda
Scorers : Acen (11′), Nameseruka (15′)
Namibia 1-2 Kenya
Scorers : K. Awases (84′) / L. Week (3′), F. Boke (6′)
Algeria 1-5 Cameroon
Scorers : D. Benkhellat (11′) / V. Ebot (33′), R. Nkenhoung (48′ 60′), M.Bikie (67′),A. Mimbama (86′)
Togo 0-2 Ghana
Scorer : P.Mensah (16, 64′)
April 14
Niger 2-5 Guinea
Scorers : Oumara Issaka Rakia (45′ 90+5) / A.Touré (19′, 26′, 33′), A.Kouyate (58′), N. Camara (73′)
April 17
Rwanda 0-2 Zambia
Scorers: M. Precious (6e), G. Phiri (19e)
Second Leg Fixtures (All times GMT)
April 17
Benin (Q) 4-0 Burkina Faso
Scorers: R. Gandonou (36′, 49′, 59′, 90′)
Ivory Coast 1-2 Sierra Leone (Q)
Scorers: A. Boka (32e) / M. Sengeh (83e), M. Tua (90+4)
April 18
Kenya (Q) 5-0 Namibia
Scorers: B.Achieng (46′, 68′, 81′),E. Adhiambo (54′), E. Opiya (90+2)
Senegal (Q) 2-1 Tunisia
Scorers: M. Faty (28′), D. Diene (52′) / R. Ben Mabrouk (63′)
Uganda (Q) 4-1 Zimbabwe
Scorers: B.Nassaka (10′), I. Acen (34′), G. Aketogwanga (43e’) T. Mora (85′) / S. Gwenhamo (45+1)
Burundi (Q) 2-1 Malawi
Scorers: K. Nshizahabona (8e), L.Kezimana (12e)
Ghana (Q) 6-0 Togo
Scorers: J. Gyekyewaa (7′), Z. Shani (14′, 43′), S. Amadu (20′) P.Mensah (77′), S.Wahab (90+3)
Guinea(Q) 3-0 Niger
Scorers: A. Touré (37′, 41′), F.Soumah (78′)
Cameroon (Q) 6-0 Algeria
Scorers: T. Sekem Mindzie (13′, 45+1 53′),A. Mimbama (18′, 60′, 76′)
April 19
Ethiopia (Q) 6-0 South Sudan
Scorers: S. Teshome (6′) A. Mihret (44′, 53′, 72′) L. Daniel (84′ 90+4)
Tanzania (Q) 3-0 Botswana
Scorers: B. Steven (60′ 90+3),H. Juma (83′)
April 22
Zambia (Q) 2-1 Rwanda
Scorers: F. Kapulungo (74′), N. Kasema (82′) / S. Uwabeza (9′)
CAF
