Burkina Faso has been confirmed as the host of the zonal phase of the 2026 WAFU B African Schools Football Championship, with the capital, Ouagadougou, set to welcome the region’s emerging young football talents following Nigeria’s withdrawal.

Nigeria was originally scheduled to host the Under-15 competition from December 6 to 9, 2026. However, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has withdrawn its involvement, prompting a change of host venue, with Burkina Faso stepping in to stage the tournament.

Organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the African Schools Football Championship provides a platform for young players to showcase their abilities while promoting grassroots football development and creating opportunities for future stars across the continent.

The WAFU B zonal competition is expected to attract teams from across the sub-region, including Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin, Niger and hosts Burkina Faso, in what promises to be a competitive contest for regional honours and progression towards the continental finals.

Ghana will be represented by both its national Under-15 boys’ and girls’ teams. The girls’ team, the Black Damsels, will enter the competition as silver medallists in the WAFU B zone and defending champions of the CAF African Schools Football Championship.

The Black Damsels will be aiming to retain their titles and maintain Ghana’s dominance in the competition, while the boys’ team will also be looking to make a strong impression against their regional counterparts.