2026 African U-20 Women's World Cup qualification

Last updated
2026 African U-20 Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament
Tournament details
Dates9 May 2025 – 10 May 2026
Teams38
Tournament statistics
Matches played35
Goals scored119 (3.4 per match)
Top scorer(s) Flag of Benin.svg Romaine Gandonou
(7 goals)
2024
2028
All statistics correct as of 27 September 2025.

The 2026 African U-20 Women's World Cup qualification is the 13th edition of the African U-20 Women's World Cup qualification, the biennial international youth football competition organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to determine which women's under-20 national teams from Africa qualify for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. Players born on or after 1 January 2006 are eligible to compete in the tournament.

Contents

Four teams qualified from this tournament for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Poland as the CAF representatives.

Draw

The draw was held on 12 December 2024 at the CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. [1] [2]

Entrants

A total of 38 (out of 54) CAF member associations registered teams for the competition. The teams were seeded based on their performance in the previous qualifying campaign. The four lowest-ranked teams, along with eight associations that did not participate in the previous edition, entered the first round, which featured six ties. The winners of these ties advanced to the second round.

Qualification rankings
PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsRound reached
1Flag of Ghana.svg  Ghana 6600212+1918 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup
2Flag of Cameroon.svg  Cameroon 6510176+1116
3Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 6510112+916
4Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco 6411122+1013
5Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 6411124+813 Fourth round
6Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt 6321286+2211
7Flag of Senegal.svg  Senegal 62225838
8Flag of Burundi.svg  Burundi 61235725
9Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania 4211143+117 Third round
10Flag of Uganda.svg  Uganda 421192+77
11Flag of the Republic of the Congo.svg  Congo 42116827
12Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 4202127+56
13Flag of Guinea.svg  Guinea 4202105+56
14Flag of Eswatini.svg  Eswatini 42027816
15Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg  DR Congo 41215505
16Flag of Mali.svg  Mali 41032863
17Flag of Algeria.svg  Algeria 21012203 Second round
18Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 20202202
19Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia 20202202
20Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea 20112531
21Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso 20111541
22Flag of Benin.svg  Benin 20110221
23Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia 20021540
24Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana 20021650
25Flag of Guinea-Bissau.svg  Guinea-Bissau 20020660
26Flag of Mozambique.svg  Mozambique 20020880
27Flag of Angola.svg  Angola 200211090
28Flag of Niger.svg  Niger 2002010100
29Flag of Djibouti.svg  Djibouti 2002012120
30Flag of Sao Tome and Principe.svg  São Tomé and Príncipe 2002018180
31Flag of Gabon.svg  Gabon 20020660Forfeited the tie
31Flag of Mauritius.svg  Mauritius 20020660
33Flag of Togo (3-2).svg  Togo 20021650 First round
34Flag of Chad.svg  Chad 20020660Forfeited the tie
34Flag of Libya.svg  Libya 20020660
Source: CAF

Draw pots

The teams were seeded into pots based on geographical distribution, with UNAF, UNIFFAC, and WAFU placed in one pot, and CECAFA and COSAFA in the other. Ties were drawn between teams from the same pot to minimize travel costs.

First round
Pot 1Pot 2
Second round
Pot 1
(CECAFA and COSAFA)
Pot 2
(UNAF, UNIFFAC and WAFU)

Did not enter

The following associations have previously fielded or currently field a women's under-20 team but chose not to participate:

The following associations have never fielded a women's under-20 team and did not participate:

Format

Qualification ties were played on a home-and-away two-legged basis. If the aggregate score was tied after the second leg, the away goals rule would be applied, and if still tied, the penalty shoot-out (no extra time) would be used to determine the winner. [3]

Schedule

RoundLegDate
First roundFirst leg9–11 May 2025
Second leg16–18 May 2025
Second roundFirst leg19–21 September 2025
Second leg26–28 September 2025
Third roundFirst leg6–8 February 2026
Second leg12–14 February 2026
Fourth roundFirst leg1–3 May 2026
Second leg8–10 May 2026

Bracket

The four winners of the fourth round would qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.

Second round Third round Fourth round
            
Flag of Niger.svg  Niger 0 0 0
Flag of Cameroon.svg  Cameroon 9 9 18
Flag of Cameroon.svg  Cameroon
Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana
Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana 2 1 3
Flag of Mozambique.svg  Mozambique 0 1 1
 
 
Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 1 0 1
Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 1 4 5
Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya
Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania
Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania 4 3 7
Flag of Angola.svg  Angola 0 0 0
Second round Third round Fourth round
            
Flag of Tunisia.svg  Tunisia 0 0 0
Flag of Ghana.svg  Ghana 2 2 4
Flag of Ghana.svg  Ghana
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
Flag of Eswatini.svg  Eswatini 0 0 0
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 5 4 9
 
 
Flag of Uganda.svg  Uganda 3 2 5
Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia 0 0 0
Flag of Uganda.svg  Uganda
Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia
Flag of Burundi.svg  Burundi 1 0 1
Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia 2 2 4
Second round Third round Fourth round
            
Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Ivory Coast 3 3 6
Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco 1 3 4
Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Ivory Coast
Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg  DR Congo
Flag of Mali.svg  Mali 1
Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg  DR Congo 1 w/o
 
 
Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea 1 0 1
Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt 0 3 3
Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt
Flag of Benin.svg  Benin
Flag of Benin.svg  Benin 5 4 9
Flag of Guinea.svg  Guinea 1 3 4
Second round Third round Fourth round
            
Flag of Rwanda.svg  Rwanda 0 0 0
Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 1 4 5
Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria
Flag of Senegal.svg  Senegal
Flag of Senegal.svg  Senegal 2 4 6
Flag of Algeria.svg  Algeria 0 0 0
 
 
Flag of Guinea-Bissau.svg  Guinea-Bissau w/o
Flag of the Republic of the Congo.svg  Congo
Flag of Guinea-Bissau.svg  Guinea-Bissau
Flag of Malawi.svg  Malawi
Flag of South Sudan.svg  South Sudan 0 1 1
Flag of Malawi.svg  Malawi 2 1 3

First round

Team 1 Agg. Tooltip Aggregate scoreTeam 21st leg2nd leg
Gabon  Flag of Gabon.svg w/o [b] Flag of Niger.svg  Niger
Togo  Flag of Togo (3-2).svg1–2Flag of Tunisia.svg  Tunisia 1–1 0–1
Gambia  Flag of The Gambia.svg0–6Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Ivory Coast 0–1 0–5
Rwanda  Flag of Rwanda.svg2–1Flag of Zimbabwe.svg  Zimbabwe 2–1 0–0
South Sudan  Flag of South Sudan.svg13–0Flag of Djibouti.svg  Djibouti 5–0 8–0
Malawi  Flag of Malawi.svg4–2Flag of the Central African Republic.svg  Central African Republic 3–1 1–1
Togo  Flag of Togo (3-2).svg1–1Flag of Tunisia.svg  Tunisia
Aawi Soccerball shade.svg45' Report Zerelli Soccerball shade.svg31'
Tunisia  Flag of Tunisia.svg1–0Flag of Togo (3-2).svg  Togo
Ajroud Soccerball shade.svg12' Report

Tunisia won 2–1 on aggregate. [5]


Gambia  Flag of The Gambia.svg0–1Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Ivory Coast
Report Bah Soccerball shade.svg65'
Ivory Coast  Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg5–0Flag of The Gambia.svg  Gambia
Report

Ivory Coast won 6–0 on aggregate. [6]


Rwanda  Flag of Rwanda.svg2–1Flag of Zimbabwe.svg  Zimbabwe
Report
Zimbabwe  Flag of Zimbabwe.svg0–0Flag of Rwanda.svg  Rwanda
Report

Rwanda won 2–1 on aggregate. [7]


South Sudan  Flag of South Sudan.svg5–0Flag of Djibouti.svg  Djibouti
Report
Djibouti  Flag of Djibouti.svg0–8Flag of South Sudan.svg  South Sudan
Report
Juba Stadium , Juba (South Sudan)
Referee: Seonyatseng Tshephe (Botswana)

South Sudan won 13–0 on aggregate. [8]


Malawi  Flag of Malawi.svg3–1Flag of the Central African Republic.svg  Central African Republic
Report
Central African Republic  Flag of the Central African Republic.svg1–1Flag of Malawi.svg  Malawi
Daoud Soccerball shade.svg11' Report Chinyamula Soccerball shade.svg47'
Japoma Stadium , Douala (Cameroon)

Malawi won 4–2 on aggregate. [9]

Second round

Team 1 Agg. Tooltip Aggregate scoreTeam 21st leg2nd leg
Niger  Flag of Niger.svg0–18Flag of Cameroon.svg  Cameroon 0–9 0–9
Botswana  Flag of Botswana.svg3–1Flag of Mozambique.svg  Mozambique 2–0 1–1
Ethiopia  Flag of Ethiopia.svg1–5Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 1–1 0–4
Tanzania  Flag of Tanzania.svg7–0Flag of Angola.svg  Angola 4–0 3–0
Tunisia  Flag of Tunisia.svg0–4Flag of Ghana.svg  Ghana 0–2 0–2
Eswatini  Flag of Eswatini.svg0–9Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 0–5 0–4
Uganda  Flag of Uganda.svg5–0Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia 3–0 2–0
Burundi  Flag of Burundi.svg1–4Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia 1–2 0–2
Ivory Coast  Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg6–4Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco 3–1 3–3
Mali  Flag of Mali.svg w/o Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg  DR Congo 1–1 [c]
Equatorial Guinea  Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg1–3Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt 1–0 0–3
Benin  Flag of Benin.svg9–4Flag of Guinea.svg  Guinea 5–1 4–3
Rwanda  Flag of Rwanda.svg0–5Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 0–1 0–4
Senegal  Flag of Senegal.svg6–0Flag of Algeria.svg  Algeria 2–0 4–0
Guinea-Bissau  Flag of Guinea-Bissau.svg w/o Flag of the Republic of the Congo.svg  Congo
South Sudan  Flag of South Sudan.svg1–3Flag of Malawi.svg  Malawi 0–2 1–1
Niger  Flag of Niger.svg0–9Flag of Cameroon.svg  Cameroon
Report
Cameroon  Flag of Cameroon.svg9–0Flag of Niger.svg  Niger
Report

Cameroon won 18–0 on aggregate. [10]


Botswana  Flag of Botswana.svg2–0Flag of Mozambique.svg  Mozambique
Report
Mozambique  Flag of Mozambique.svg1–1Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana
Beatriz Soccerball shade.svg16' Report Serokane Soccerball shade.svg13'

Botswana won 3–1 on aggregate.


Ethiopia  Flag of Ethiopia.svg1–1Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya
Report
Kenya  Flag of Kenya.svg4–0Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia
Report

Kenya won 5–1 on aggregate. [11]


Tanzania  Flag of Tanzania.svg4–0Flag of Angola.svg  Angola
Report
Angola  Flag of Angola.svg0–3Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania
Report

Tanzania won 7–0 on aggregate.


Tunisia  Flag of Tunisia.svg0–2Flag of Ghana.svg  Ghana
Report Attobrah Soccerball shade.svg4', 66'
Ghana  Flag of Ghana.svg2–0Flag of Tunisia.svg  Tunisia
Report

Ghana won 4–0 on aggregate.


Eswatini  Flag of Eswatini.svg0–5Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
Report
South Africa  Flag of South Africa.svg4–0Flag of Eswatini.svg  Eswatini
Report

South Africa won 9–0 on aggregate.


Uganda  Flag of Uganda.svg3–0Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia
Report
Namibia  Flag of Namibia.svg0–2Flag of Uganda.svg  Uganda
Report

Uganda won 5–0 on aggregate. [12]


Burundi  Flag of Burundi.svg1–2Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia
Bizimana Soccerball shade.svg63' Report
Zambia  Flag of Zambia.svg2–0Flag of Burundi.svg  Burundi
Report

Zambia won 4–1 on aggregate. [13]


Ivory Coast  Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg3–1Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco
Report
Morocco  Flag of Morocco.svg3–3Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Ivory Coast
Report

Ivory Coast won 6–4 on aggregate. [14]


Mali  Flag of Mali.svg1–1Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg  DR Congo
Diabaté Soccerball shade.svg30' Report Mukubayi Soccerball shade.svg66'
DR Congo  Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svgCancelled [c] Flag of Mali.svg  Mali
Report

DR Congo won on walkover and advanced to the third round after Mali withdrew prior to the second leg following a 1–1 draw in the first leg. [15]


Equatorial Guinea  Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg1–0Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt
Shalma Midje Soccerball shade.svg9' Report
Egypt  Flag of Egypt.svg3–0Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea
Report

Egypt won 3–1 on aggregate. [16]


Benin  Flag of Benin.svg5–1Flag of Guinea.svg  Guinea
Report
Guinea  Flag of Guinea.svg3–4Flag of Benin.svg  Benin
Report

Benin won 9–4 on aggregate. [17]


Rwanda  Flag of Rwanda.svg0–1Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria
Report
Report (NFF)
Olabiyi Soccerball shade.svg70'
Nigeria  Flag of Nigeria.svg4–0Flag of Rwanda.svg  Rwanda
Report

Nigeria won 5–0 on aggregate. [18]


Senegal  Flag of Senegal.svg2–0Flag of Algeria.svg  Algeria
Report
Report (FSF)
Algeria  Flag of Algeria.svg0–4Flag of Senegal.svg  Senegal
Report
Report (FSF)

Senegal won 6–0 on aggregate. [19]


Guinea-Bissau  Flag of Guinea-Bissau.svgCancelledFlag of the Republic of the Congo.svg  Congo
Report
Congo  Flag of the Republic of the Congo.svgCancelledFlag of Guinea-Bissau.svg  Guinea-Bissau
Report

Guinea-Bissau won on walkover and advanced to the third round after Congo withdrew prior to the first leg without giving any clarification on the reason.


South Sudan  Flag of South Sudan.svg0–2Flag of Malawi.svg  Malawi
Report
Malawi  Flag of Malawi.svg1–1Flag of South Sudan.svg  South Sudan
Report
Juba Stadium , Juba (South Sudan)
Referee: Asma Chouchane (Tunisia)

Malawi won 3–1 on aggregate. [20]

Third round

Team 1 Agg. Tooltip Aggregate scoreTeam 21st leg2nd leg
Cameroon  Flag of Cameroon.svgFlag of Botswana.svg  Botswana 6–8 Feb 26' 12–14 Feb 26'
Kenya  Flag of Kenya.svgFlag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania 6–8 Feb 26' 12–14 Feb 26'
Ghana  Flag of Ghana.svgFlag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 6–8 Feb 26' 12–14 Feb 26'
Uganda  Flag of Uganda.svgFlag of Zambia.svg  Zambia 6–8 Feb 26' 12–14 Feb 26'
Ivory Coast  Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svgFlag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg  DR Congo 6–8 Feb 26' 12–14 Feb 26'
Egypt  Flag of Egypt.svgFlag of Benin.svg  Benin 6–8 Feb 26' 12–14 Feb 26'
Nigeria  Flag of Nigeria.svgFlag of Senegal.svg  Senegal 6–8 Feb 26' 12–14 Feb 26'
Guinea-Bissau  Flag of Guinea-Bissau.svgFlag of Malawi.svg  Malawi 6–8 Feb 26' 12–14 Feb 26'
Cameroon  Flag of Cameroon.svgvFlag of Botswana.svg  Botswana
Botswana  Flag of Botswana.svgvFlag of Cameroon.svg  Cameroon

Kenya  Flag of Kenya.svgvFlag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania
Tanzania  Flag of Tanzania.svgvFlag of Kenya.svg  Kenya

Ghana  Flag of Ghana.svgvFlag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
South Africa  Flag of South Africa.svgvFlag of Ghana.svg  Ghana

Uganda  Flag of Uganda.svgvFlag of Zambia.svg  Zambia
Zambia  Flag of Zambia.svgvFlag of Uganda.svg  Uganda

Ivory Coast  Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svgvFlag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg  DR Congo
DR Congo  Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svgvFlag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Ivory Coast

Egypt  Flag of Egypt.svgvFlag of Benin.svg  Benin
Benin  Flag of Benin.svgvFlag of Egypt.svg  Egypt

Nigeria  Flag of Nigeria.svgvFlag of Senegal.svg  Senegal
Senegal  Flag of Senegal.svgvFlag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau  Flag of Guinea-Bissau.svgvFlag of Malawi.svg  Malawi
Malawi  Flag of Malawi.svgvFlag of Guinea-Bissau.svg  Guinea-Bissau

Qualified teams for FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup

The following four teams from CAF qualified for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Poland.

TeamQualified onPrevious appearances in FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup 1
1Bold indicates champions for that year. Italic indicates hosts for that year.

Goalscorers

There have been 133 goals scored in 39 matches, for an average of 3.41 goals per match (as of 28 September 2025).

7 goals

5 goals

4 goals

3 goals

2 goals

1 goal

1 own goal

Notes

  1. 1 2 The country previously registered for the African qualifiers in this category but has not yet played an international match.
  2. Niger won on a walkover and advanced to the second round after FEGAFOOT withdrew its women's under-20 team without giving any clarification on the reason. [4]
  3. 1 2 The second leg was cancelled after the Malian Football Federation withdrew from the competition due to organizational and logistical difficulties.

See also

References

  1. "CAF to host Draw for African Qualifiers for FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Cairo on Thursday". Cafonline.com. 11 December 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  2. "CAF maps out road to Poland 2026: U-20 Women's World Cup African Qualifiers Draw completed". Cafonline.com. 12 December 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  3. "Regulations of the Women Africa Cup of Nations" (PDF). CAF.
  4. Nounamo, Jean-Claude (11 May 2025). "Women's Football – U20 CAN Qualifiers: Gabon silently forfeits against Niger!". gabonallsport.com (in French). Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  5. "U20 Women's World Cup: Tunisia advances to the second round after their win over Togo". lapresse.tn (in French). 18 May 2025. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  6. Yah, Chamade (18 May 2025). "World Cup Qualifiers: Women's U20 – Second Round: Côte d'Ivoire will play against Morocco". sport-ivoire.ci (in French). Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  7. Kamasa, Peter (14 May 2025). "Rwanda see off Zimbabwe in U20 Women's World Cup qualifiers". newtimes.co.rw. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  8. Michael Daniel (16 May 2025). "South Sudan's U-20 starlets thrashed Djibouti counterparts 8–0 in African world cup qualifiers return leg". eyeradio.org. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  9. Mabuka, Dennis (19 May 2025). "Malawi advance to second round of FIFA U20 Women's qualifiers". africatopsports.com. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  10. Mbopda, Daniel (28 September 2025). "U20 WWC Qualifiers: Lionesses thrash Niger". camfoot.com (in French). Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  11. Otieno, Wiltord (28 September 2025). "Kenya Rising Starlets Beat Ethiopia 4-0, Tanzania Test Awaits". thekenyatimes.com. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  12. Muziransa, Makhtum (23 September 2025). "Queen Cranes advance to penultimate qualification round". monitor.co.ug. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  13. Chikondi (28 September 2025). "Zambia U20 Women Overpower Burundi 4-1 on Aggregate to Set Up Uganda Clash". bolayapazed.com. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  14. Seck, Ndeye Fatou (28 September 2025). "FIFA U20 Women's World Cup: Morocco eliminated by Côte d'Ivoire". onzedafrik.com (in French). Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  15. Mikito, Miché (27 September 2025). "U20 Women's World Cup Qualifiers: Mali withdraws, DR Congo advance". congoquotidien.com (in French). Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  16. Mostafa Saber (26 September 2025). "Egypt defeat Equatorial Guinea to reach the third round of the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup qualifiers". almasryalyoum.com (in Arabic). Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  17. "U20 Women's World Cup Qualifiers: Benin overpower Guinea 9–4 on aggregate". africasport.org (in French). 26 September 2025. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  18. "U20WWCQ: Falconets Defeat Rwanda 4-0 To Book Third Round". von.gov.ng. 28 September 2025. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  19. "FIFA U20 Women's World Cup: Lionesses sweep aside Algeria to advance to the next round". rts.sn (in French). 27 September 2025. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  20. Mabuka, Dennis (27 September 2025). "Malawi Young Scorchers Through to Third Round". africatopsports.com. Retrieved 28 September 2025.