The race to secure the last two African spots at the FIFA U-17 World Cup intensifies this Saturday at El Abdi Stadium in El Jadida, Morocco, as Uganda, Gambia, Angola, and Egypt face off in high-stakes play-off matches.
While the quarter-finalists of the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations have already secured their spots at the global tournament, the play-offs offer a second chance for the four teams that narrowly missed out on a top-two finish in their groups. The format is simple: two matches, one night, with the winners advancing to join the six other African representatives in Qatar later this year.
The action kicks off at 17:00 GMT with Uganda taking on Gambia in what promises to be an exciting clash of ambition and experience.
Uganda, eyeing their first-ever U-17 World Cup qualification, have impressed with a dynamic mix of organization and attacking flair throughout the tournament. For Gambia, a nation with previous World Cup appearances in 2005 and 2009, this match presents an opportunity to return to the global stage. The Young Scorpions bring with them a wealth of resilience and experience, but they will need to dig deep to overcome a motivated Ugandan side determined to make history.
Later in the evening, Angola will face Egypt in a match filled with anticipation and excitement.
Angola’s youth development has been progressing steadily, and a World Cup berth would represent a significant milestone for the country’s footballing future. On the other side, Egypt, one of Africa’s most passionate footballing nations, is hoping to return to the U-17 World Cup for the first time since 1997. Following a dramatic comeback victory over Cameroon in the group stage, the Pharaohs will rely on their attacking prowess and mental strength to secure their place in Qatar.
With the 2025 U-17 World Cup set to take place in Qatar from November 3–27, the stakes are incredibly high for the four teams. Only two will secure their passage to the global tournament, where they will have the chance to showcase their talents on the world stage, with scouts and clubs from across the globe closely monitoring the action.
Africa will be represented by a record 10 teams at the U-17 World Cup, including the four semi-finalists already qualified through the U-17 AFCON. For the remaining two spots, the competition couldn’t be more fierce, with the dreams of these young players on the line.
