2026 African U-20 Women's World Cup qualification

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) 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.

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]

  • 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

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

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

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:

  •  Cape Verde
  •  Somalia
  •  Sudan
  •  Seychelles

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

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

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

First round

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
Referee: Rachel Zihindula (DR Congo)

Tunisia won 2–1 on aggregate.[5]

Gambia 0–1 Ivory Coast
Report Bah 65'
Referee: Eness Gumbo (Malawi)
Ivory Coast 5–0 Gambia
  • Timité 4'
  • N. N'Guessan 28', 33'
  • N'Dri 45'
  • Chyle 78'
 Report
Referee: Sabah Sadir (Morocco)

Ivory Coast won 6–0 on aggregate.[6]

Rwanda 2–1 Zimbabwe
  • Ishmwe 3'
  • Gikundiro 50'
 Report
  • Kondo 18'
Referee: Patience Madu Ndidi (Nigeria)
Zimbabwe 0–0 Rwanda
Report
Referee: Innocentia Ntangti (Cameroon)

Rwanda won 2–1 on aggregate.[7]

South Sudan 5–0 Djibouti
  • Maika 1'
  • Joan 34'
  • Makuach 45+3', 57'
  • Nakuma 70'
 Report
Referee: Sylvina Garnett (Liberia)
Djibouti 0–8 South Sudan
Report
  • Madout 8', 12', 17'
  • Joseph 15'
  • Iga 19', 40', 70'
  • Makuach 82'
Juba Stadium, Juba (South Sudan)
Referee: Seonyatseng Tshephe (Botswana)

South Sudan won 13–0 on aggregate.[8]

Malawi 3–1 Central African Republic
 Report
  • Passibi Sate 76'
Referee: Tatu Malogo (Tanzania)
Central African Republic 1–1 Malawi
Daoud 11' Report Chinyamula 47'

Malawi won 4–2 on aggregate.[9]

Second round

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
  • Mekoua 2'
  • Nimpa 35', 64', 82'
  • Effa 38'
  • Nyadjou 42' (pen.)
  • Ngon Biyo 47'
  • Tsimi 67'
  • Bibene 84'
Cameroon 9–0 Niger
  • Son Mouen 6', 16'
  • Mekoua 12'
  • Nyadjou 20', 48'
  • Nimpa 34', 35'
  • Ngon Biyo 65'
  • Tsimi 86'
 Report
Referee: Aïssata Lam (Mauritania)

Cameroon won 18–0 on aggregate.[10]

Botswana 2–0 Mozambique
  • Anonymous 14' (o.g.)
  • Modumo 24'
 Report
Referee: Khadmallah Elshayeb (Sudan)
Mozambique 1–1 Botswana
Beatriz 16' Report Serokane 13'
Referee: Laeticia Kenga (Central African Rep.)

Botswana won 3–1 on aggregate.

Ethiopia 1–1 Kenya
  • Daniel 66'
 Report
  • Mideva 1'
Kenya 4–0 Ethiopia
  • Nekesa 4'
  • Mideva 16', 67'
  • Adhiambo 28'
 Report
Ulinzi Sports Complex, Nairobi

Kenya won 5–1 on aggregate.[11]

Tanzania 4–0 Angola
  • Gerald 20', 29'
  • Ubamba 77', 90+4'
 Report
Angola 0–3 Tanzania
Report
  • Gerald 31'
  • Ramadhani 64'
  • Kinega 89'
Referee: Aïcha Bit Oumarou (Chad)

Tanzania won 7–0 on aggregate.

Tunisia 0–2 Ghana
Report Attobrah 4', 66'
Referee: Aida Sy (Senegal)
Ghana 2–0 Tunisia
  • Attobrah 37'
  • Yeboah 46'
 Report

Ghana won 4–0 on aggregate.

Eswatini 0–5 South Africa
Report
  • Mokoma 24', 34'
  • Maicane 62'
  • Mohale 78'
  • October 90+1'
Referee: Sisay Raya (Ethiopia)
South Africa 4–0 Eswatini
  • Maicane 8', 13'
  • Malebana 46'
  • Khoza 58'
 Report

South Africa won 9–0 on aggregate.

Uganda 3–0 Namibia
  • Kabene 47'
  • Anomo 82'
  • Kantono 90+1'
 Report
FUFA Kadiba Stadium, Kampala
Referee: Rachel Zihindula (DR Congo)
Namibia 0–2 Uganda
Report
FUFA Kadiba Stadium, Kampala (Uganda)
Referee: Yemisi Akintoye (Nigeria)

Uganda won 5–0 on aggregate.[12]

Burundi 1–2 Zambia
Bizimana 63' Report
  • Mfunte 44'
  • Muwowo 88'
Zambia 2–0 Burundi
  • E. Phiri 9'
  • Chipasula 43'
 Report
Referee: Richy Nganda (Gabon)

Zambia won 4–1 on aggregate.[13]

Ivory Coast 3–1 Morocco
  • Ouédraogo 30', 66'
  • N. N'guessan 32'
 Report
  • Balkhir 51'
Referee: Aïssatou Kanté (Guinea)
Morocco 3–3 Ivory Coast
  • Balkhir 58' (pen.), 90+6'
  • Houmaid 90+1'
 Report
  • N. N'Guessan 41' (pen.)  70'
  • Ouédraogo 43', 85'
Referee: Alphonsine Ilboudo (Brukina Faso)

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
Referee: Henriette Byukusenge (Rwanda)
Egypt 3–0 Equatorial Guinea
 Report

Egypt won 3–1 on aggregate.[16]

Benin 5–1 Guinea
  • Gandonou 9', 28', 58', 86'
  • Titibi 13'
 Report
  • Soumah 4'
Referee: Innocentia Ntangti (Cameroon)
Guinea 3–4 Benin
  • Yattara 18'
  • Abikou 48' (o.g.)
  • Kouyaté 90'
 Report
  • Gandonou 11', 14', 25'
  • Djibril 45+5'
Referee: Cacilda Fernando (Mozambique)

Benin won 9–4 on aggregate.[17]

Rwanda 0–1 Nigeria
Report
Report (NFF)		 Olabiyi 70'
Referee: Aminata Fullah (Sierra Leone)
Nigeria 4–0 Rwanda
  • Oscar 13'
  • Adeshina 20'
  • Akekoromwei 60'
  • Afolabi 90+1'
 Report
Referee: Fatou Ngum (Gambia)

Nigeria won 5–0 on aggregate.[18]

Senegal 2–0 Algeria
  • Sarr 5'
  • Badio 9'
 Report
Report (FSF)
Referee: Mercy Mayimbo (Zimbabwe)
Algeria 0–4 Senegal
Report
Report (FSF)
  • Pène 2' (pen.)
  • Rekibi 18' (o.g.)
  • Sagna 79'
  • Badio 81'
Referee: Rita Boateng-Nkansah (Ghana)

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
  • Fabiano 34'
  • Mulimbika 64'
Malawi 1–1 South Sudan
  • Fabiano 46'
 Report
  • Makuach 33'
Juba Stadium, Juba (South Sudan)
Referee: Asma Chouchane (Tunisia)

Malawi won 3–1 on aggregate.[20]

Third round

Team 1Agg. Tooltip Aggregate scoreTeam 21st leg2nd leg
Cameroon  Botswana6–8 Feb 26'12–14 Feb 26'
Kenya  Tanzania6–8 Feb 26'12–14 Feb 26'
Ghana  South Africa6–8 Feb 26'12–14 Feb 26'
Uganda  Zambia6–8 Feb 26'12–14 Feb 26'
Ivory Coast  DR Congo6–8 Feb 26'12–14 Feb 26'
Egypt  Benin6–8 Feb 26'12–14 Feb 26'
Nigeria  Senegal6–8 Feb 26'12–14 Feb 26'
Guinea-Bissau  Malawi6–8 Feb 26'12–14 Feb 26'
Cameroon v Botswana
Botswana v Cameroon
Kenya v Tanzania
Tanzania v Kenya
Ghana v South Africa
South Africa v Ghana
Uganda v Zambia
Zambia v Uganda
Ivory Coast v DR Congo
DR Congo v Ivory Coast
Egypt v Benin
Benin v Egypt
Nigeria v Senegal
Senegal v Nigeria
Guinea-Bissau v Malawi
Malawi v 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.

Team Qualified on Previous appearances in FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup1
1 Bold 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

  • Romaine Gandonou

5 goals

  • Beverly Nimpa

4 goals

  • Nadège N'Guessan
  • Safi Ouédraogo
  • Nyamam Makuach

3 goals

  • Maëva Nyadjou
  • Mercy Attobrah
  • Elizabeth Mideva
  • Hajar Balkhir
  • Mavis Maicane
  • Kayungu Vivian Iga
  • Anyiet Wek Madout
  • Winfrida Gerald

2 goals

  • Rachou Mekoua
  • Marie Ngon Biyo
  • Gloria Son Mouen
  • Aurore Tsimi
  • Habiba Essam
  • Enelesi Fabiano
  • Khadija Badio
  • Bonolo Mokoma
  • Hasnath Ubamba

1 goal

  • Yasmine Djibril
  • Auriane Titibi
  • Rose Modumo
  • Mmabatho Serokane
  • Rukiya Bizimana
  • Loana Bibene
  • Dorothy Effa
  • Maïmouna Daoud
  • Sylviane Passibi Sate
  • Catherine Mukubayi
  • Habiba Biktash
  • Shalma Midje
  • Emush Daniel
  • Agnes Yeboah
  • Aïcha Kouyaté
  • Mariama Soumah
  • Mariama Yattara
  • Nahomie Bah
  • Priscille Chyle
  • Grâce N'Dri
  • Yasmine Timité
  • Fasila Adhiambo
  • Valerie Nekesa
  • Leticia Chinyamula
  • Fatima Lali
  • Victoria Mkwala
  • Sarah Mulimbika
  • Olivia Phikani
  • Kadidiatou Diabaté
  • Hafsa Houmaid
  • Biatriz Zaqueu
  • Fatimah Adeshina
  • Taiwo Afolabi
  • Janet Akekoromwei
  • Alaba Olabiyi
  • Precious Oscar
  • Darlene Ishmwe
  • Scholastique Gikundiro
  • Sokhna Nogaye Pène
  • Aïssatou Sagna
  • Marie-Louise Sarr
  • Khwezi Khoza
  • Katleho Malebana
  • Katlego Mohale
  • Zoe October
  • Adong Joan
  • Nancy Joseph
  • Ludia Maika
  • Monica Nakuma
  • Asha Ramadhani
  • Neema Kinega
  • Essodessam Abigail Aawi
  • Ranim Ajroud
  • Tesnim Zerelli
  • Barbara Anomo
  • Sylvia Kabene
  • Mary Kantono
  • Peace Muduwa
  • Agnes Nabukenya
  • Mercy Chipasula
  • Chishala Mfunte
  • Ruth Muwowo
  • Edith Phiri
  • Bethel Kondo

1 own goal

  • Mélissa Rekibi (against Senegal)
  • Laura Abikou (against Guinea)
  • Anonymous (against Botswana)

Notes

  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

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.
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