Mozambique national under-17 football team have officially secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar after defeating Ethiopia national under-17 football team in a dramatic penalty shootout on Saturday, May 23.
The young Mambas sealed their historic qualification by winning 5-4 on penalties after a tense CAF playoff encounter, booking one of Africa’s final remaining places at the global tournament.
The achievement represents a major breakthrough for Mozambican youth football, with the country set to make its debut appearance on the world stage at U-17 level.
Mozambique reached the playoff after finishing third in Group C during the ongoing 2026 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Although they missed out on progressing further in the continental title race, the expanded CAF qualification system handed them another opportunity through the World Cup play-in bracket — a chance they successfully converted.
Following the victory, Mozambique officially take the “CAF 1” slot at the FIFA U-17 World Cup and will compete in Group B alongside South Korea national under-17 football team, New Caledonia national under-17 football team and Ecuador national under-17 football team.
The tournament is scheduled to take place in Qatar later this year, where Mozambique’s young talents will now prepare for the biggest challenge in the country’s youth football history.
The qualification is expected to be celebrated as a landmark moment for football development in Mozambique as the nation looks ahead to competing against some of the world’s best young teams.
