The draw for the 2027 WAFU Zone B U17 AFCON Qualifying Tournament was conducted on Thursday in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, setting the stage for an exciting regional competition later this year.
Hosts Burkina Faso have been drawn into Group A alongside Ghana, Benin and Togo, while Group B comprises Côte d’Ivoire, Niger and Nigeria.
The tournament is scheduled to kick off on October 10, 2026, in Ouagadougou, with the participating nations set to battle for qualification to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations U17 tournament.
Speaking after the draw, WAFU Zone B Executive Director Philippe Tchere described the process as a successful one, stressing the transparency and openness with which the groups were determined.
“It’s been a good draw; very open and transparent for all to see,” Tchere said.
He believes the familiarity among the participating countries will add another layer of competitiveness to the tournament, as the West African neighbours are accustomed to facing one another at various levels of football.
“These countries are neighbours and already know each other,” he added.
With the draw now complete, attention turns to preparations for the tournament, with Tchere expressing his excitement about welcoming the participating teams back to Ouagadougou next month.
“We can’t wait to re-assemble here in Ouagadougou next month for the tournament,” he said.
In the U17 girls version, host nation Ivory Coast will square it off with Burkina Faso and Benin while Ghana, Nigeria, Togo and Niger battle themselves in Group B when the tournament kicks off on September 15, 2026.
The tournament promises to deliver a highly competitive contest, with the young talents from across WAFU Zone B aiming to secure qualification and represent the region at the 2027 U17 AFCON.