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2026 African U-20 Women's World Cup qualification

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2026 African U-20 Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament
Tournament details
Dates9 May 2025 – 10 May 2026
Teams38
Tournament statistics
Matches played55
Goals scored169 (3.07 per match)
Top scorer(s)Benin Romaine Gandonou
(11 goals)
← 2024
2028 →
All statistics correct as of 14 February 2026.

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

Four teams will qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Poland as the CAF representatives.

Draw

[edit]

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

  • First Round: The 12 lowest-ranked teams, based on previous U-20 Women's World Cup qualifiers performance, will contest in this round. The six winners will advance to join the 26 top-ranked teams exempted from the first round.
  • Second Round: The six first-round winners and 26 exempted teams will form 32 teams. These will battle it out for 16 spots in the third round.
  • Third Round: The remaining 16 teams will compete in a knockout format to determine the eight teams advancing to the fourth round.
  • Fourth Round: The final eight teams will play knockout ties, with the winners earning qualification to the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.

Entrants

[edit]

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
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Round reached
1  Ghana 6 6 0 0 21 2 +19 18 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup
2  Cameroon 6 5 1 0 17 6 +11 16
3  Nigeria 6 5 1 0 11 2 +9 16
4  Morocco 6 4 1 1 12 2 +10 13
5  Ethiopia 6 4 1 1 12 4 +8 13 Fourth round
6  Egypt 6 3 2 1 28 6 +22 11
7  Senegal 6 2 2 2 5 8 −3 8
8  Burundi 6 1 2 3 5 7 −2 5
9  Tanzania 4 2 1 1 14 3 +11 7 Third round
10  Uganda 4 2 1 1 9 2 +7 7
11  Congo 4 2 1 1 6 8 −2 7
12  Kenya 4 2 0 2 12 7 +5 6
13  Guinea 4 2 0 2 10 5 +5 6
14  Eswatini 4 2 0 2 7 8 −1 6
15  DR Congo 4 1 2 1 5 5 0 5
16  Mali 4 1 0 3 2 8 −6 3
17  Algeria 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 3 Second round
18  South Africa 2 0 2 0 2 2 0 2
19  Zambia 2 0 2 0 2 2 0 2
20  Equatorial Guinea 2 0 1 1 2 5 −3 1
21  Burkina Faso 2 0 1 1 1 5 −4 1
22  Benin 2 0 1 1 0 2 −2 1
23  Namibia 2 0 0 2 1 5 −4 0
24  Botswana 2 0 0 2 1 6 −5 0
25  Guinea-Bissau 2 0 0 2 0 6 −6 0
26  Mozambique 2 0 0 2 0 8 −8 0
27  Angola 2 0 0 2 1 10 −9 0
28  Niger 2 0 0 2 0 10 −10 0
29  Djibouti 2 0 0 2 0 12 −12 0
30  São Tomé and Príncipe 2 0 0 2 0 18 −18 0
31  Gabon 2 0 0 2 0 6 −6 0 Forfeited the tie
31  Mauritius 2 0 0 2 0 6 −6 0
33  Togo 2 0 0 2 1 6 −5 0 First round
34  Chad 2 0 0 2 0 6 −6 0 Forfeited the tie
34  Libya 2 0 0 2 0 6 −6 0
Source: CAF

Draw pots

[edit]

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

Did not enter

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]
Round Leg Date
First round First leg 9–11 May 2025
Second leg 16–18 May 2025
Second round First leg 19–21 September 2025
Second leg 26–28 September 2025
Third round First leg 6–8 February 2026
Second leg 12–14 February 2026
Fourth round First leg 1–3 May 2026
Second leg 8–10 May 2026

Bracket

[edit]

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
            
 Niger 0 0 0
 Cameroon 9 9 18
 Cameroon 5 0 5
 Botswana 0 1 1
 Botswana 2 1 3
 Mozambique 0 1 1
 Cameroon
 Tanzania
 Ethiopia 1 0 1
 Kenya 1 4 5
 Kenya 1 0 1 (1)
 Tanzania 0 1 1 (3)
 Tanzania 4 3 7
 Angola 0 0 0
Second round Third round Fourth round
            
 Tunisia 0 0 0
 Ghana 2 2 4
 Ghana 2 1 3
 South Africa 2 0 2
 Eswatini 0 0 0
 South Africa 5 4 9
 Ghana
 Uganda
 Uganda 3 2 5
 Namibia 0 0 0
 Uganda 1 1 2
 Zambia 1 0 1
 Burundi 1 0 1
 Zambia 2 2 4
Second round Third round Fourth round
            
 Ivory Coast 3 3 6
 Morocco 1 3 4
 Ivory Coast 2 0 2
 DR Congo 0 1 1
 Mali 1 —
 DR Congo 1 — w/o
 Ivory Coast
 Benin
 Equatorial Guinea 1 0 1
 Egypt 0 3 3
 Egypt 0 0 0
 Benin 1 4 5
 Benin 5 4 9
 Guinea 1 3 4
Second round Third round Fourth round
            
 Rwanda 0 0 0
 Nigeria 1 4 5
 Nigeria 1 2 3
 Senegal 0 1 1
 Senegal 2 4 6
 Algeria 0 0 0
 Nigeria
 Malawi
 Guinea-Bissau — — w/o
 Congo — —
 Guinea-Bissau 1 1 2
 Malawi 1 5 6
 South Sudan 0 1 1
 Malawi 2 1 3

First round

[edit]
Team 1Agg. Tooltip Aggregate scoreTeam 21st leg2nd leg
Gabon w/o[b] Niger——
Togo 1–2 Tunisia1–10–1
Gambia 0–6 Ivory Coast0–10–5
Rwanda 2–1 Zimbabwe2–10–0
South Sudan 13–0 Djibouti5–08–0
Malawi 4–2 Central African Republic3–11–1
Togo 1–1 Tunisia
Aawi 45' Report Zerelli 31'
Tunisia 1–0 Togo
Ajroud 12' Report

Tunisia won 2–1 on aggregate.[5]

Gambia 0–1 Ivory Coast
Report Bah 65'
Referee: Eness Gumbo (Malawi)
Ivory Coast 5–0 Gambia
 Report
Referee: Sabah Sadir (Morocco)

Ivory Coast won 6–0 on aggregate.[6]

Rwanda 2–1 Zimbabwe
 Report
Zimbabwe 0–0 Rwanda
Report

Rwanda won 2–1 on aggregate.[7]

South Sudan 5–0 Djibouti
 Report
Djibouti 0–8 South Sudan
Report
Juba Stadium, Juba (South Sudan)

South Sudan won 13–0 on aggregate.[8]

Malawi 3–1 Central African Republic
 Report
Central African Republic 1–1 Malawi
Daoud 11' Report Chinyamula 47'

Malawi won 4–2 on aggregate.[9]

Second round

[edit]
Team 1Agg. Tooltip Aggregate scoreTeam 21st leg2nd leg
Niger 0–18 Cameroon0–90–9
Botswana 3–1 Mozambique2–01–1
Ethiopia 1–5 Kenya1–10–4
Tanzania 7–0 Angola4–03–0
Tunisia 0–4 Ghana0–20–2
Eswatini 0–9 South Africa0–50–4
Uganda 5–0 Namibia3–02–0
Burundi 1–4 Zambia1–20–2
Ivory Coast 6–4 Morocco3–13–3
Mali w/o DR Congo1–1—[c]
Equatorial Guinea 1–3 Egypt1–00–3
Benin 9–4 Guinea5–14–3
Rwanda 0–5 Nigeria0–10–4
Senegal 6–0 Algeria2–04–0
Guinea-Bissau w/o Congo——
South Sudan 1–3 Malawi0–21–1
Niger 0–9 Cameroon
Report
Cameroon 9–0 Niger
 Report

Cameroon won 18–0 on aggregate.[10]

Botswana 2–0 Mozambique
 Report
Mozambique 1–1 Botswana
Beatriz 16' Report Serokane 13'

Botswana won 3–1 on aggregate.

Ethiopia 1–1 Kenya
 Report
Kenya 4–0 Ethiopia
 Report

Kenya won 5–1 on aggregate.[11]

Tanzania 4–0 Angola
 Report
Angola 0–3 Tanzania
Report

Tanzania won 7–0 on aggregate.

Tunisia 0–2 Ghana
Report Attobrah 4', 66'
Referee: Aida Sy (Senegal)
Ghana 2–0 Tunisia
 Report

Ghana won 4–0 on aggregate.

Eswatini 0–5 South Africa
Report
Referee: Sisay Raya (Ethiopia)
South Africa 4–0 Eswatini
 Report

South Africa won 9–0 on aggregate.

Uganda 3–0 Namibia
 Report
Namibia 0–2 Uganda
Report

Uganda won 5–0 on aggregate.[12]

Burundi 1–2 Zambia
Bizimana 63' Report
Zambia 2–0 Burundi
 Report
Referee: Richy Nganda (Gabon)

Zambia won 4–1 on aggregate.[13]

Ivory Coast 3–1 Morocco
 Report
Morocco 3–3 Ivory Coast
 Report

Ivory Coast won 6–4 on aggregate.[14]

Mali 1–1 DR Congo
Diabaté 30' Report Mukubayi 66'
DR Congo Cancelled[c] 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 1–0 Egypt
Shalma Midje 9' Report

Egypt won 3–1 on aggregate.[16]

Benin 5–1 Guinea
 Report
Guinea 3–4 Benin
 Report

Benin won 9–4 on aggregate.[17]

Rwanda 0–1 Nigeria
Report
Report (NFF)		 Olabiyi 70'
Nigeria 4–0 Rwanda
 Report
Referee: Fatou Ngum (Gambia)

Nigeria won 5–0 on aggregate.[18]

Senegal 2–0 Algeria
 Report
Report (FSF)
Algeria 0–4 Senegal
Report
Report (FSF)

Senegal won 6–0 on aggregate.[19]

Guinea-Bissau Cancelled Congo
Report
Congo Cancelled 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 0–2 Malawi
Report
Malawi 1–1 South Sudan
 Report
Juba Stadium, Juba (South Sudan)

Malawi won 3–1 on aggregate.[20]

Third round

[edit]
Team 1Agg. Tooltip Aggregate scoreTeam 21st leg2nd leg
Cameroon 5–1 Botswana5–00–1
Kenya 1–1 (1–3 p) Tanzania1–00–1
Ghana 3–2 South Africa2–21–0
Uganda 2–1 Zambia1–11–0
Ivory Coast 2–1 DR Congo2–00–1
Egypt 0–5 Benin0–10–4
Nigeria 3–1 Senegal1–02–1
Guinea-Bissau 2–6 Malawi1–11–5
Cameroon 5–0 Botswana
 Report
Botswana 1–0 Cameroon
Hangara 77' Report

Cameroon won 5–1 on aggregate.

Kenya 1–0 Tanzania
Mideva 84' Report
Tanzania 1–0 Kenya
Gerald 70' (pen.) Report
Penalties
  • soccer ball with check mark
  • soccer ball with red X
  • soccer ball with check mark
  • soccer ball with check mark
 3–1
  • soccer ball with red X
  • soccer ball with check mark
  • soccer ball with red X
  • soccer ball with red X

1–1 on aggregate. Tanzania won 3–1 on penalties.

Ghana 2–2 South Africa
 Report
South Africa 0–1 Ghana
Report Mensah 63'

Ghana won 3–2 on aggregate.

Uganda 1–1 Zambia
Nabukenya 23' Report E. Phiri 59'
Zambia 0–1 Uganda
Report Kantono 7'

Uganda won 2–1 on aggregate.

Ivory Coast 2–0 DR Congo
 Report
DR Congo 1–0 Ivory Coast
Kalumba 49' Report
Referee: Sisay Raya (Ethiopia)

Ivory Coast won 2–1 on aggregate.

Egypt 0–1 Benin
Report Gandonou 68'
Benin 4–0 Egypt
 Report
Referee: Agnes Ngoma (Congo)

Benin won 5–0 on aggregate.

Nigeria 1–0 Senegal
Ifeanyi 50' Report
Senegal 1–2 Nigeria
 Report

Nigeria won 3–1 on aggregate.

Guinea-Bissau 1–1 Malawi
Q. da Silva 48' Report Mulimbika 75'
Malawi 5–1 Guinea-Bissau
 Report

Malawi won 6–2 on aggregate.

Fourth round

[edit]
Team 1Agg. Tooltip Aggregate scoreTeam 21st leg2nd leg
Cameroon  Tanzania1–3 May8–10 May
Ghana  Uganda1–3 May8–10 May
Ivory Coast  Benin1–3 May8–10 May
Nigeria  Malawi1–3 May8–10 May

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

[edit]

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

Team Qualified on Previous appearances in FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup1
0 (debut)
1 Bold indicates champions for that year. Italic indicates hosts for that year.

Goalscorers

[edit]

There have been 169 goals scored in 55 matches, for an average of 3.07 goals per match (as of 14 February 2026).

11 goals

  • Benin Romaine Gandonou

6 goals

  • Cameroon Beverly Nimpa

4 goals

  • Ivory Coast Safi Ouédraogo
  • Ivory Coast Nadège N'Guessan
  • Kenya Elizabeth Mideva
  • South Sudan Nyamam Makuach
  • Tanzania Winfrida Gerald

3 goals

  • Cameroon Rachou Mekoua
  • Cameroon Maeva Nyadjou
  • Cameroon Aurore Tsimi
  • Ghana Mercy Attobrah
  • Malawi Fatima Lali
  • Morocco Hajar Balkhir
  • South Africa Mavis Maicane
  • South Sudan Kayungu Iga
  • South Sudan Anyiet Madout

2 goals

  • Benin Yasminath Djibril
  • Cameroon Dorothy Effa Essomba
  • Cameroon Marie Ngon Biyo
  • Cameroon Gloria Son Mouen
  • Egypt Habiba Essam
  • Ghana Agnes Yeboah
  • Malawi Enelesi Fabiano
  • Malawi Victoria Mkwala
  • Malawi Sarah Mulimbika
  • Nigeria Kindness Ifeanyi
  • Nigeria Precious Oscar
  • Senegal Khadija Badio
  • Senegal Sokhna Pène
  • South Africa Khwezi Khoza
  • South Africa Bonolo Mokoma
  • South Africa Zoe October
  • Tanzania Hasnath Ubamba
  • Uganda Mary Kantono
  • Uganda Agnes Nabukenya
  • Zambia Edith Phiri

1 goal

  • Benin Auriane Titibi
  • Botswana Mbapeua Hangara
  • Botswana Rose Modumo
  • Botswana Mmabatho Serokane
  • Burundi Rukiya Bizimana
  • Cameroon Loana Bibeme
  • Cameroon Andree Ngo Bilong
  • Central African Republic Maïmouna Daoud
  • Central African Republic Sylviane Passibi
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo Gracia Kalumba
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo Catherine Mukubayi
  • Egypt Habiba Biktash
  • Equatorial Guinea Shalma Midje
  • Ethiopia Emush Daniel
  • Ghana Priscilla Mensah
  • Ghana Linda Owusu Ansah
  • Guinea Aïcha Kouyaté
  • Guinea Mariama Soumah
  • Guinea Mariama Yattara
  • Guinea-Bissau Lamarana Bari
  • Guinea-Bissau Quinta da Silva
  • Ivory Coast Nahomie Bah
  • Ivory Coast Priscille Chyle
  • Ivory Coast Audrey Djan Lou
  • Ivory Coast Grace N'Dri
  • Ivory Coast Rolande N'Guessan
  • Ivory Coast Yasmine Timité
  • Kenya Fasila Adhiambo
  • Kenya Valerie Nekesa
  • Malawi Leticia Chinyamula
  • Malawi Alinafe Milanzi
  • Malawi Mayamiko Mkandawire
  • Malawi Olivia Phikani
  • Mali Kadidiatou Diabaté
  • Morocco Hafsa Houmaid
  • Mozambique Beatriz Zaqueu
  • Nigeria Fatimah Adeshina
  • Nigeria Taiwo Afolabi
  • Nigeria Janet Akekoromwei
  • Nigeria Alaba Olabiyi
  • Rwanda Scholastique Gikundiro
  • Rwanda Darlene Ishmwe
  • Senegal Aïssatou Sagna
  • Senegal Marie-Louise Sarr
  • South Africa Katleho Malebana
  • South Africa Katlego Mohale
  • South Sudan Monica Akio
  • South Sudan Nancy Joseph
  • South Sudan Ludia Justine
  • South Sudan Adong Olwal
  • Tanzania Neema Kinega
  • Tanzania Asha Ramadhani
  • Togo Abigail Aawi
  • Tunisia Ranim Ajroud
  • Tunisia Tesnim Zerelli
  • Uganda Barbara Anomo
  • Uganda Sylvia Kabene
  • Uganda Peace Muduwa
  • Zambia Mercy Chipasula
  • Zambia Chishala Mfunte
  • Zambia Ruth Muwowo
  • Zimbabwe Bethel Kondo

1 own goal

  • Algeria Mélissa Rekibi (against Senegal)
  • Benin Laura Abikou (against Guinea)
  • Mozambique Undefined (against Botswana)

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b 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. ^ a b The second leg was cancelled after the Malian Football Federation withdrew from the competition due to organizational and logistical difficulties.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  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. The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) will be conducting the official draw of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, African Qualifiers at the CAF Headquarters in Cairo on Thursday, 12 December 2024.
  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's Africa Cup of Nations" (PDF). CAF.
  4. ^ Nounamo, Jean-Claude (11 May 2025). "Women's Football – U20 CAN Qualifiers: Gabon silently forfeits against Niger!". Gabon All Sport (in French). Archived from the original on 21 May 2025. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  5. ^ "Mondial U20 féminin : La Tunisie passe au deuxième tour après sa victoire contre le Togo" [U20 Women's World Cup: Tunisia advances to the second round after their win over Togo]. La Presse de Tunisie (The Tunisian Press) (in French). 18 May 2025. Archived from the original on 23 June 2025. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  6. ^ Yah, Chamade (18 May 2025). "El. Mondial : Féminine U20-2è Tour : La Côte d'Ivoire jouera le Maroc" [World Cup Qualifiers: Women's U20 – Second Round: Côte d'Ivoire will play against Morocco.]. Sport Ivoire (Ivorian Sport) (in French). Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  7. ^ Kamasa, Peter (14 May 2025). "Rwanda see off Zimbabwe in U20 Women's World Cup qualifiers". The New Times. 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". Eye Radio. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  9. ^ Mabuka, Dennis (19 May 2025). "Malawi advance to second round of FIFA U20 Women's qualifiers". Africa Top Sports. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  10. ^ "U20 WWC Qualifiers: Lionesses thrash Niger". CAFOnline.com. 8 February 2026. Retrieved 8 February 2026. Cameroon delivered the standout performance of the first-leg fixtures in the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup African qualifiers, sweeping aside Botswana 5–0 to move firmly into control of their tie.
  11. ^ Otieno, Wiltord (28 September 2025). "Kenya Rising Starlets Beat Ethiopia 4-0, Tanzania Test Awaits". The Kenya Times. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  12. ^ Muziransa, Makhtum (23 September 2025). "Queen Cranes advance to penultimate qualification round". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  13. ^ Chikondi (28 September 2025). "Zambia U20 Women Overpower Burundi 4-1 on Aggregate to Set Up Uganda Clash". Bola Yapa Zed. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  14. ^ Seck, Ndeye Fatou (28 September 2025). "Coupe du monde U20 (F) : le Maroc éliminé par la Côte d'Ivoire" [FIFA U20 Women's World Cup: Morocco eliminated by Côte d'Ivoire]. Onze D'Afrik (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 (in French). 27 September 2025. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  20. ^ Mabuka, Dennis (27 September 2025). "Malawi Young Scorchers Through to Third Round". Africa Top Sports. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
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