Bantwana to face Tanzania in the second of the World Cup qualifiers

The South African U17 Women’s National Team will take on Tanzania in the second round of FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026 qualifiers.

This comes after the East Africans brushed aside Botswana in the first round of the qualifiers while South Africa advanced without kicking a ball following the withdrawal of Central African Republic (CAR).

Tanzania defeated their Southern African opponents over two legs, 3-2 in Botswana and 3-0 nil at home.

The two-legged second round is scheduled to be played between 22-31 May on a home and away basis, with the third and final round set for July.

Including hosts Morocco, the African continent has been allotted five slots at the global women’s youth showpiece which will be played from 17 October to 7 November.

Sixteen teams are still battling it out for the final spots.

Second-round fixtures – FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026 qualifiers

Team		Team	1st leg	2nd leg
Guinea  vs		Nigeria	22–24 May	29–31 May
Benin  vs		Sierra Leone	22–24 May	29–31 May
Senegal vs		Cameroon	22–24 May	29–31 May
Ghana vs		Liberia	22–24 May	29–31 May
Zambia  vs		DR Congo	22–24 May	29–31 May
Ethiopia  vs		Burundi	22–24 May	29–31 May
Tanzania vs		South Africa	22–24 May	29–31 May
Uganda   vs		Kenya	22–24 May	29–31 May

Debutants Puerto Rico, as well as the USA, Canada and Mexico have all qualified from CONCACAF, while New Zealand and Samoa will represent OCEANIA.

Korea are the defending champions.

Africa has five slots at the World Cup, including hosts Morocco.

Twenty-four (24) nations will battle it out in the 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup set to be played from 17 October to 7 November.

Already qualified after the hosts, are USA, Canada, Mexico and debutants Puerto Rico (all CONCACAF), as well as New Zealand and Samoa (OCEANIA).

North Korea are the defending champions 

By Matlhomola Morake