U-17 AFCON 2026: Uganda draws Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon in tough group B

Kampala, Uganda: The Uganda U-17 national team, the Cubs, have been drawn into a challenging Group B at the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2026, where they will face Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, and DR Congo.

The tournament, set to run from May 13 to June 2, 2026, in Morocco, will feature 16 teams divided into four groups, with the top two from each group advancing to the quarter-finals—and automatically qualifying for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Uganda’s placement alongside traditional youth football powerhouses Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon presents a stern test, with DR Congo also expected to provide strong competition.

The Cubs will need disciplined and consistent performances to progress from the group stage.

Uganda heads into the tournament on the back of a historic rise in youth football. The Cubs have now qualified for the U-17 AFCON for the third time, following their debut in 2019 and qualification for the cancelled 2021 edition.

Their biggest breakthrough came in 2025, when Uganda qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the first time.

At the global tournament in Qatar, Uganda reached the Round of 16, registering notable victories, including a standout win over France, before exiting on penalties to Burkina Faso.

Uganda booked their place at AFCON 2026 after a commanding run in the CECAFA qualifiers, including a 9-0 win over Sudan, 6-0 win over Djibouti, 4-0 win over Burundi and 3-0 semi-final victory over Ethiopia.

They finished as runners-up in the regional tournament, qualifying alongside Ethiopia and Tanzania.

Full Group Draw

Group A: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia

Group B: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, DR Congo

Group C: Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique

Group D: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana