CAF U-17 AFCON final draw set for Cairo today
DAR ES SALAAM: THE Final draw for the Total Energies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 in Morocco is set to take place today in Cairo.
This expanded tournament will see 16 teams compete from 30 March to 19 April 2025, showcasing the best young football talent from across the continent.
A major highlight of the competition is that 10 African nations will secure a spot in the 2025 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar, scheduled from 5 to 27 November 2025.
This adds an extra layer of excitement, with teams vying not only for continental glory but also for a place on the world stage.
The qualified teams for the Total Energies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco 2025 include Morocco as the host country, alongside Angola, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Gambia, Mali, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda and two additional teams from UNIFFAC (Central Africa), whose spots are still to be decided through ongoing qualification tournaments.
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The tournament will follow a format in which the 16 teams are divided into four groups (A, B, C, and D), with each group consisting of four teams. As the host country, Morocco is automatically assigned to position A1 in Group A.
Other key seeded positions include holders Senegal, who will be placed in position C1, Burkina Faso (third place in the 2023 tournament) in position B1 and Mali (fourth place in 2023) in position D1. The remaining teams will be drawn from four separate pots and placed in positions across the groups.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals and secure a spot in the 2025 FIFA Under-17 World Cup.
The final two African spots at the World Cup will be determined through play-offs between the third-place teams from each group.
The CECAFA region will be proudly represented at the Total Energies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations by Uganda and Tanzania.
Both teams secured their spots after reaching the finals of the CECAFA U-17 Championship held in Kampala, Uganda, in November 2024.
