Five African nations prepare to compete on home-continent soil, while defending champions North Korea, two-time winners Spain and Canada headline a competitive tournament in Rabat.
By The Voice of Women Sport | October 16, 2026
The spotlight turns to Morocco this weekend as the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup gets underway on Saturday, October 17, bringing together 24 national teams from six continents for three weeks of international competition.
The tournament, which runs until November 7 in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, represents another significant chapter in the development of women’s youth football. It will be the tenth edition of the competition and the second under FIFA’s expanded 24-team format and annual calendar.
For Morocco, the event carries significance beyond hosting responsibilities. The North African nation is staging the second of five consecutive editions awarded to it through 2029, strengthening its position as an important destination for international women’s football.
With the world’s leading youth teams, established champions and emerging African contenders competing for the title, the tournament promises an opportunity for a new generation of players to establish themselves on the global stage.
Morocco Aims to Build on Home World Cup Experience
The host nation will begin its campaign against New Zealand on Saturday, October 17, before facing Germany and Argentina in Group A.
Morocco enters the tournament with greater international experience after reaching the Round of 16 in the 2025 edition, where its campaign ended with a 6-1 defeat to eventual champions North Korea.
For the Atlas Lionesses, the challenge will be to translate that experience into a stronger performance against opponents with established youth development systems.
Defender Hiba Youssoufi, who represented Morocco at last year’s tournament, is among the returning players expected to provide valuable experience.
Playing in front of home supporters offers Morocco an opportunity to demonstrate the progress of its emerging generation of female footballers, while also highlighting the country’s growing investment in the women’s game.
Five African Nations Carry Continental Ambitions
Africa will be represented by Morocco, Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia and Kenya, with each side entering the tournament through a different qualification journey.
Nigeria’s Flamingos, one of the continent’s most experienced teams at this level, secured their place with an 8-5 aggregate victory over Benin in the final qualifying round.
The West Africans, who finished third at the 2022 tournament, will compete in Group B alongside defending champions North Korea, Poland and Puerto Rico.
Captain Harmony Chidi will be a key attacking figure for Nigeria after contributing five goals during qualification.
Ghana returns to the competition for the first time since 2018 after overcoming Senegal in a dramatic penalty shootout. The Black Maidens, bronze medallists in 2012, will compete in Group C against Canada, Brazil and Norway.
Captain Seidatu Wahab, who played an influential role throughout Ghana’s qualification campaign, is among the players expected to lead the team’s challenge.
Zambia secured qualification at Ethiopia’s expense and will face Japan, France and Venezuela in Group D. Under head coach Carol Kanyemba, the Copper Princesses will look to improve on their Round of 16 appearance at Morocco 2025.
Kenya, meanwhile, returns to the tournament for its second appearance after overcoming South Africa in the qualifiers. The Junior Starlets, coached by Mildred Cheche, will compete against the United States, China and Samoa in Group E.
Forward Brenda Achieng, who impressed during qualification and regional competition, will be a player to watch as Kenya seeks to advance beyond the group stage for the first time.
For the African representatives, success will depend not only on individual talent but also on tactical organisation, defensive consistency and the ability to compete with technically accomplished opponents.
North Korea Returns to Defend Its Crown
Defending champions North Korea enter Morocco 2026 seeking a remarkable fifth title, having already lifted the trophy in 2008, 2016, 2024 and 2025.
The Asian powerhouse defeated the Netherlands in the 2025 final and will once again be considered among the leading title contenders.
Forward Yu Jong-hyang, who claimed both the Golden Ball and Golden Boot at last year’s tournament after scoring eight goals, returns as one of the competition’s most prominent young players.
Two-time champions Spain will also aim to reclaim the title, while Japan, Germany, France, Brazil and the United States bring considerable international pedigree.
The competition will also mark historic first appearances for Argentina, Australia and Puerto Rico, adding another dimension to the tournament’s growing international reach.
Canada Targets Progress After 2025 Quarter-Final Exit
Canada will begin its World Cup campaign against Brazil on Sunday, October 18, in one of the most intriguing opening-round fixtures.
The encounter is a rematch of their 2025 quarter-final, when Canada was eliminated 5-4 on penalties following a goalless draw.
Head coach Jen Herst has selected a 21-player squad featuring a combination of returning World Cup players and emerging talent.
Among the notable selections is midfielder Gabriela Istocki of AFC Toronto Academy, who will captain the national team. Istocki scored four goals during Canada’s qualifying campaign and brings experience from the previous World Cup.
The squad also reflects the developing connection between Canada’s professional women’s football system and its youth national teams. Nine players are associated with Northern Super League club academies, including five from AFC Toronto Academy and four from Vancouver Rise FC Academy.
Canada will face Norway on October 21 and Ghana on October 24 as it seeks a place in the knockout rounds.
The tournament provides another important opportunity to evaluate Canada’s emerging talent against opponents from different footballing environments.
Tournament Format and Key Dates
The 24 participating nations have been divided into six groups of four teams.
The top two teams from each group, together with the four best third-placed sides, will progress to the Round of 16.
The opening day will feature four matches, with Germany facing Argentina and North Korea meeting Puerto Rico before Morocco takes on New Zealand and Nigeria plays Poland.
All matches through the semi-finals will be staged at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat.
The third-place play-off and final will take place at Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium on November 7.
A Global Stage for the Next Generation of Women’s Football
Beyond the competition for the trophy, Morocco 2026 provides an important opportunity to assess the continued development of women’s football at youth level.
The expanded tournament offers greater international exposure for emerging players and gives national associations another opportunity to measure the effectiveness of their development programmes.
For African football, the presence of five national teams highlights the importance of sustained investment in youth academies, coaching education, competitive domestic structures and international preparation.
While established powers will enter the tournament with considerable experience, Morocco 2026 will also provide a platform for emerging nations determined to challenge the existing hierarchy.
As the opening whistle approaches, attention will turn from preparation and qualification to performances on the pitch, where 24 national teams will begin their pursuit of one of the most prestigious titles in youth women’s football.
