CAF Cup of Nations - U17 2026/27

The TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations is the premier continental championship for under-17 national teams in Africa. Organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the tournament functions as the primary qualification pathway for the FIFA U-17 World Cup. The event opened in 1995, taking place in Mali, and has since evolved into a major showcase for young African talent. The competition underwent a structural shift in 2025, expanding to sixteen teams divided into four groups of four. This represents a significant increase from the eight-team format that operated until 2021. Qualification is determined through regional zones, including UNAF, WAFU, UNIFFAC, CECAFA, and COSAFA, with the host nation securing automatic entry. Senegal stands as the defending champion, securing victory in the 2026 edition held in Morocco after defeating Tanzania on penalties. Morocco claimed the title in 2025 by overcoming Mali on penalties. Historically, the trophy has been shared among several nations, with Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gambia, Mali, and Senegal each recording two victories. Egypt won the tournament in 1997, while Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast lifted the cup in 2011 and 2013 respectively. The tournament was originally known as the African U-17 Championship until 2015, when CAF aligned the name with the senior Africa Cup of Nations. TotalEnergies has provided sponsorship since 2016. The competition is distinct from other youth categories, focusing exclusively on players under seventeen years of age. The 2021 edition was cancelled due to the pandemic, interrupting the regular cycle. Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Dr Congo, and Egypt are among the nations participating in the current season.