U17 Women's World Cup: Morocco hosts 24 nations from October 17, five African teams in the running

The U17 Women's World Cup will be played in Morocco from October 17 to November 7, 2026, with 24 teams divided into six groups of four. Five African teams are participating: Morocco, which qualified automatically as the host country, Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia, and Kenya.

The tournament is a demonstration in itself: Africa is not hosting a world competition for young girls as a favor; it is organizing it, in its own stadiums, in front of its own public, with a format expanded to 24 nations, just like the previous edition.

Hard-fought qualifications

The road to Morocco was tough. Ghana eliminated Senegal on penalties, 7-6, after a 2-2 aggregate score over the two matches. Kenya won 3-1 on aggregate against South Africa, following a 1-1 draw in the return leg. Zambia knocked out Ethiopia 3-2 on aggregate, also after a 1-1 draw in the return leg, reports APA News. Nigeria had secured its ticket earlier.

The draw

The Moroccans are in Group A with New Zealand, Germany, and Argentina. Nigeria is in Group B and will face North Korea, the two-time defending champion, as well as Puerto Rico and Poland. Ghana is placed in Group C, the most formidable on paper, with Canada, Brazil, and Norway.

Zambia is in Group D alongside Japan and France, two former world champions, and Venezuela. Kenya completes the lineup in Group E, facing the United States, Samoa, and China. Group F brings together Spain, Mexico, Australia, and Chile.

The group stage will take place from October 17 to 25, 2026, the round of 16 on October 28 and 29, the quarterfinals on November 1, the semifinals on November 4, and the third-place match and final on November 7, according to Africa Top Sports.

For these players born after 2009, the stakes go beyond the result. African women's football still lacks structured professional leagues and visibility; three weeks of global competition on the continent's soil offer these teenagers a showcase that their elders never had at this age. Nigeria, Zambia, and Ghana have already produced top-tier international players in Europe and the United States. The next generation takes the stage on October 17.