The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) is set to reshape the future of youth football on the continent with the introduction of a new “festival-style” format for its competitions, starting with the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The tournament, scheduled to run from 13 May to 2 June 2026, will serve as the first major test of this revamped structure, which CAF says is designed to bring matches, training sessions and team operations into a single, integrated environment.
The move represents a significant shift in how youth tournaments are organised in Africa, with a clear focus on development, efficiency and atmosphere.
Under the new system, almost all matches will be staged at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, a state-of-the-art facility in Morocco.
Only the opening match, semi-finals and final will be played elsewhere.
CAF believes centralising activities in one location will not only streamline logistics but also create a more vibrant and immersive experience for players and teams.
The governing body has indicated that the concept is aimed at long-term gains, particularly in nurturing young talent across the continent.
By housing teams in a shared environment, CAF hopes to improve consistency in tournament delivery while fostering interaction, learning and exposure for emerging players.
The competition itself promises to be fiercely contested.
Hosts and defending champions Morocco headline Group A alongside Tunisia, Egypt and Ethiopia.
Group B brings together former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, as well as Uganda and debutants DR Congo, offering a strong Central and West African presence.
In Group C, last year’s runners-up Mali will face Angola, Mozambique and Tanzania, while Group D features a heavyweight West African clash with Senegal drawn against South Africa, Algeria and two-time winners Ghana.
Beyond continental glory, the stakes are even higher.
The tournament doubles as a qualification pathway for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The eight quarter-finalists will automatically secure their places, while teams finishing third in their groups will compete in play-offs for the remaining two slots.
In total, ten African nations will represent the continent at the global finals.
CAF’s decision to adopt this festival-style approach reflects a broader ambition to modernise African football structures and align youth development with global best practices.
As preparations gather pace, attention will turn to how effectively the new format delivers on its promises.
