South Africa’s Bantwana drawn against CAR in 2026 U17 World Cup qualifiers

The South African U17 Women’s National team, Bantwana, has been drawn against the Central African Republic in the first round of the 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers – with the first away fixture scheduled for 10-12 April, while the return leg will be held a week later (17-19 April) in South Africa.

The qualifiers will be played over three rounds – and the four remaining teams, alongside hosts Morocco, will make up the five African representatives at the global youth spectacle.

In the second round – scheduled for May – the winner between Bantwana and CAR will face the victors between Botswana and Namibia.

The third and final round will be held in July this year.

In line with the CAF regulations, the qualifiers will be played on a home and away two-legged basis, and the away goal rule will come into effect.

Africa has been allocated five slots and the last four teams standing will join Morocco at the tournament. In total, there will be 24 nations at the competition.

COSAFA has five representatives in the first round – South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Malawi and Zambia.

DRAW:

FIRST ROUND:

TEAM 1		TEAM 2	1ST LEG	2ND LEG
Central Africa Republic	vs	South Africa
Botswana	vs	Tanzania
Zimbabwe	vs	Uganda
Namibia	vs	Kenya
Rwanda	vs	Zambia
Malawi	vs	Burundi
Niger	vs	Guinea
Burkina Faso	vs	Benin
Sierra Leone	vs	Ivory Coast
Tunisia	vs	Senegal
Algeria	vs	Cameroon
Togo	vs	Ghana
Libya	vs	Liberia
DR Congo	vs	Djibouti
South Sudan	vs	Ethiopia

Bantwana haven’t been to the World Cup since their last appearance in Uruguay in 2018 under the tutelage of former coach, Simphiwe Dludlu.

At the time, the team had the likes of, among others, Karabo Dhlamini, Lonathemba Mhlongo, Yolanda Nduli, Fikile Magama, Oratile Mokwena, Chelsea Daniels, Jessica Wade, Sibulele Holweni and the Shamase twins – Sphumelele and Thubelihle. Most of them have gone on to become regulars in the Banyana Banyana set-up.

Their first qualification was back in 2010 in Trinidad and Tobago, where they had players like Kaylin Swart, Robyn Moodaly, Nomvula Kgoale, Rachel Sebati, Jabulile Mazibuko, Kelso Peskin and Jermaine Seoposenwe in a team led by coach Solomon Luvhengo.

SLOT ALLOCATION:

CAF (Africa):

• 5 slots (including hosts Morocco)

AFC (Asia):

• 4 Slots

CONCACAF (North America, Central America and the Caribbean):

• 4 Slots

CONMEBOL (South America):

• 4 Slots

OFC (Oceania):

• 2 Slots

UEFA (Europe):

• 5 slots

The 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup will be hosted by Morocco between October and November this year.

By Matlhomola Morake