FIFA Confirms Tournament Dates
FIFA has confirmed that the 2026 U-17 Women’s World Cup will take place in Morocco. The tournament will run from October 17 to November 7. FIFA shared the update through its official 𝕏 account.
Morocco Secures Multi-Year Hosting Rights
Morocco will host the competition as part of a multi-year agreement. FIFA approved the deal in March 2024. The agreement allows Morocco to host the tournament from 2025 to 2029. This makes Morocco the first African country to host the event on a continuous basis.
Expanded Format and Qualification
The tournament will feature 24 teams from six confederations. Africa will have five representatives at the finals. Morocco qualifies automatically as the host nation. The remaining four slots will be decided through qualifiers between May and July 2026.
CAF Controversy Adds Context
FIFA’s announcement comes during ongoing tension in African football. CAF recently awarded the 2025 AFCON title to Morocco after overturning Senegal’s win. The decision followed a walk-off protest by Senegal players during the final.
CAF cited rule breaches and awarded a 3-0 result to Morocco. Senegal has rejected the decision and called for an investigation. The matter may proceed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Focus Shifts to the Tournament
Despite the controversy, attention now turns to the upcoming tournament. Morocco will aim to deliver a successful competition as host. The event also marks another step in the growth of women’s football in Africa.
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