U-17 World Cup 2025: Egypt, Burkina Faso, South Africa Lead Nine African Nations into Round of 32

Africa’s youth football dominance was on full display as nine nations from the continent advanced to the Round of 32 at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025, including Egypt, Burkina Faso, and South Africa, who confirmed their progression after wrapping up group-stage play on November 11.

The knockout phase, set for November 14–15, guarantees at least two African teams in the quarter-finals with two all-African fixtures: Zambia versus Mali and Senegal against Uganda. The remaining African contenders—Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Burkina Faso, and South Africa—face European and Asian opponents in tightly matched contests.

Egypt advanced as one of the eight best third-placed teams, finishing third in Group E with four points after a commanding 4–1 win over Haiti, a 1–1 draw with Venezuela, and a 3–0 loss to England, according to Ahram Online.

South Africa progressed from Group A with four points after beating Bolivia 3–1, drawing 1–1 with hosts Qatar, and losing 3–1 to Italy. Burkina Faso secured second place in Group I with six points, finishing behind the United States but ahead of the Czech Republic.

Tunisia, Morocco, Senegal, Zambia, Mali, and Uganda complete Africa’s record nine-team lineup in the knockout round—the highest representation from any continent in this expanded 48-team tournament.

The all-African matchup between Zambia and Mali on Friday at Mahmoud Soufi Stadium is billed as a clash of contrasts: Zambia’s youthful attacking energy against Mali’s championship experience. CAF Online called it “a heavyweight contest between two familiar African rivals.” Mali, twice winners of the U-17 AFCON, are seeking another deep run, while Zambia—appearing for only the third time—aim to prove their rise is no fluke.

Senegal’s meeting with Uganda on Saturday at Mansour Muftah Stadium offers another guaranteed African quarter-finalist. Senegal, which topped their group with attacking flair, faces a well-drilled Ugandan side that advanced through grit and defensive organization. Both Uganda and Zambia are debutants, adding a new chapter to African football’s expanding reach.

Elsewhere, Egypt will challenge eighth-seeded Switzerland, with FIFA confirming the fixture adjustment due to both Egypt and Venezuela emerging from the same group. Morocco faces the United States in a rematch of their U-17 AFCON semi-final rivalry. 

South Africa’s encounter with Japan at Bader Bilal Stadium promises a tactical showdown between Japan’s rapid passing and South Africa’s counterattacking style. Burkina Faso will test their resilience against a technically strong German side, while Tunisia meets Austria in a fixture expected to hinge on set-piece execution.

African football authorities have hailed the milestone. CAF Online described the record advancement as a “historic achievement.” At the same time, All Football App highlighted that only Côte d’Ivoire failed to reach the knockouts—a testament to the continent’s youth development progress. This expanded format marks the first U-17 World Cup with 48 teams and 12 groups, producing 104 group-stage matches and giving emerging nations a broader competitive stage.

Morocco’s U-17 AFCON triumph in April, along with strong youth programs in Mali, Egypt, and Uganda, underscores the continent’s growing investment in grassroots talent. European scouts are expected to closely monitor African prospects, several of whom have already drawn attention from major clubs in France, Belgium, and Spain.

The Round of 32 winners will proceed to the Round of 16 on November 18, quarter-finals on November 21, and the final at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on November 27. The victor between Zambia and Mali will meet either Morocco or the United States in the next round. Africa’s commanding presence in Qatar could influence future FIFA youth tournament allocations, potentially expanding the continent’s slots for the 2027 edition.