The FIFA U-17 World Cup will be staged in Qatar from 19 November to 13 December 2026, with a record 48 teams drawn into 12 groups of four.

The draw, held in Zurich on 21 May, confirmed the expanded format. Every confederation is represented, with Europe receiving 11 places, Oceania three and Africa 10. Qatar takes one of Asia’s nine places as the host nation.

Africa will be represented by Algeria, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Uganda, Senegal and Tanzania. The 48-team field also includes five nations making their tournament debuts: Montenegro, Greece, Romania, Serbia and Vietnam.

The 10 African teams have been placed in 10 different groups, with only groups D and L without an African representative.

Key group-stage tests for Africa

Mozambique and Uganda qualified through the play-offs after winning their decisive matches on penalties.

Mozambique face a difficult task in Group C, where they will meet Argentina and Denmark, alongside Australia. Uganda are in Group B with South Korea, Ecuador and New Caledonia, and will need to target points from their meeting with the latter. The two matches against the more accessible opposition could prove significant for the finalists and semi-finalists from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Morocco, beaten on penalties in the continental final, have been drawn in Group H with Spain, China and Fiji. Tanzania, also finalists at the Africa Cup of Nations, will play Brazil, Ireland and Costa Rica in Group I. Both sides are expected to focus on securing results against the opponents viewed as more reachable in their respective sections.

Africa Cup of Nations champions Senegal are in Group F alongside Croatia, Cuba and Tajikistan. Mali face Belgium, New Zealand and Vietnam in Group G, while Egypt meet Qatar, Panama and Greece in Group E. Cote d’Ivoire have been drawn against Italy, Jamaica and Uzbekistan in Group H. Those teams appear to have realistic opportunities to challenge for qualification.

Algeria are in Group J and Cameroon in Group K. Each will face a leading North American side as well as a European debutant: Montenegro for Algeria and Romania for Cameroon.

How the competition will work

The 12 groups will be played as leagues, with every team facing the other three sides in its section. The opening fixtures are scheduled for 19 November for groups A to D, 20 November for groups E to H and 21 November for groups I to L.

The top two teams in each group will advance to the round of 32, joined by the eight best third-placed sides. The knockout stage will then continue with the last 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final. Across the tournament, 104 matches will be played.

Groups with the toughest challenges

Group D appears the most demanding on paper, despite containing no African team, with France, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Haiti together.

Group C also includes a strong contest between Argentina and Denmark, while Brazil’s Group I meeting with Ireland, Tanzania and Costa Rica is another notable section. For the African teams, Morocco’s Group H and Cote d’Ivoire’s Group E look particularly challenging, while Senegal’s Group F and Mali’s Group G appear more open. Algeria’s Group J and Cameroon’s Group K offer a more balanced mix, with three confederations represented in each.