The Algeria national under-17 football team have qualified for the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations 2026 after defeating Egypt national under-17 football team 1-0 in the North African Football Union Championship.
The decisive encounter took place at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benghazi on Sunday, 5 April, with Algeria doing enough to secure a place in the continental competition scheduled to be held in Morocco from 25 April to 15 May 2026.
Zawi strike proves decisive
Algeria’s qualification was confirmed thanks to a single goal early in the second half. Abdel Rahman Zawi scored in the 47th minute, giving his side a crucial advantage that they held onto for the remainder of the match.
The victory ensured that Algeria met the requirements needed to secure progression, overcoming direct competition from Egypt in what proved to be a tightly contested fixture.
Strong campaign secures second place
The result lifted Algeria into second place in the North African Championship standings with seven points. Their campaign included two victories, a draw and one defeat across four matches.
They began with an emphatic 5-1 win over Libya, followed by a 1-1 draw with Tunisia. A setback came in a 3-0 defeat to Morocco, but the team recovered to claim a vital win against Egypt, sealing qualification.
The performance reflects a balanced campaign, combining attacking strength with resilience after defeat, ultimately proving sufficient to secure a place at the continental finals.
Tournament context and participating teams
The North African Football Union U-17 Championship was held in Libya between 24 March and 5 April, featuring five teams: hosts Libya, alongside Algeria, Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia.
Morocco topped the standings with nine points from three matches, confirming their place at the top ahead of their final fixture against Libya. Egypt, meanwhile, collected six points, placing them among the teams securing qualification.
Algeria, under the guidance of coach Amine Ghimouz, joined Morocco and Egypt among the teams that have already booked their spots at the upcoming tournament.
Possibility of expanded qualification places
Reports have suggested that the number of teams qualifying from the regional competition could increase from three to four, potentially offering Tunisia—currently fourth with four points—a pathway to qualification. However, this remains subject to official confirmation by the relevant authorities.
Such a development would alter the competitive landscape of the tournament, but for now, Algeria’s place among the qualified teams is secured based on current standings.
Looking ahead to Morocco 2026
The next edition of the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations will bring together 16 teams in Morocco. The host nation enters the tournament as defending champions, having won the previous edition against Mali on penalties (4-2) following a goalless draw in the final.
Algeria’s victory over Egypt marks a significant milestone for the country’s youth programme, securing their participation in a major continental competition. With momentum on their side, the team will now look ahead to testing themselves against Africa’s best in Morocco.
