FIFA has unveiled the schedule for the 2026 edition of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, confirming Morocco as host of the global youth tournament.
In an announcement shared via its official X platform on Thursday, FIFA stated that the competition will run from October 17 to November 7, 2026, urging fans and stakeholders to mark their calendars for the event.
The tournament will be the second edition to feature an expanded 24-team format and forms part of Morocco’s multi-year hosting arrangement.
The North African nation secured the rights to stage the competition from 2025 through 2029 following a decision by the FIFA Council in March 2024, becoming the first African country to host the women’s youth tournament on a yearly basis.
A total of 24 teams drawn from six confederations are expected to compete, with Africa allotted five slots.
Morocco qualifies automatically as hosts, while the remaining four African representatives will emerge from qualification rounds slated between May and July 2026.
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FIFA’s announcement comes amid heightened attention on Morocco’s role in continental football, following a recent ruling by the Confederation of African Football over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.
The decision saw Senegal stripped of the title, which was subsequently awarded to Morocco after a controversial match incident that led to a forfeiture ruling.
The development has generated significant debate across the football community, particularly in Senegal, where authorities have called for further scrutiny of the decision-making process within CAF.
Despite the controversy, preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup are expected to continue, with Morocco set to take center stage in hosting another major international football event.