Five African Nations Secure Places At 2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup

Five African Nations Secure Places At 2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup

By Niyi Busari 

Morocco, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia will represent Africa at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup after successfully securing qualification for the tournament, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The African line-up for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup has been confirmed, with hosts Morocco joined by Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia following the conclusion of the continental qualifying campaign.

The 10th edition of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup will take place in Morocco from 17 October to 7 November 2026, featuring 24 teams from across the globe.

Africa's qualification series began in April, with 22 nations competing for four available places alongside automatic qualifiers Morocco. Following two preliminary rounds, the final qualification spots were decided through home-and-away playoff ties.

The five African representatives will compete alongside five teams from Europe, four each from Asia, Concacaf and CONMEBOL, as well as two representatives from Oceania.

Ghana booked a return to the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup for the first time since the 2018 tournament in Uruguay after edging Senegal in a dramatic penalty shootout.

Both legs of the final qualifying tie ended 1-1, forcing the contest to penalties, where the Black Maidens held their nerve. Jessica Appiah Asamoah converted the decisive spot-kick to send Ghana back to the global stage.

Kenya secured only their second appearance at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup after defeating South Africa over two legs.

Carrying a 2-0 advantage into the second leg in Nairobi, Kenya conceded early but responded with three unanswered goals to seal an impressive aggregate victory and book their place in Morocco.

Nigeria's Flamingos qualified for a ninth FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup after overcoming Benin in an entertaining two-legged contest.

Following a narrow first-leg victory at home, Nigeria completed the job away from home with a 5-3 aggregate triumph, inspired by a hat-trick from Queen Joseph.

Zambia will make their third consecutive appearance at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup after eliminating Ethiopia in the final qualifying round.

A slim first-leg advantage in Ndola proved decisive, as Precious Mwewa scored once again in the return leg in Addis Ababa. Ethiopia equalised late in the match but were unable to find the goal needed to force extra time, allowing Zambia to secure qualification.

With the qualification campaign now complete, Morocco, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia will carry Africa's hopes into the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup as they prepare to compete against the world's best young talents.