Nine African teams have made it to Round 32 of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 for the first time in the competition’s history.
The big number has boosted the continents chances of making it to the quarterfinals as two intra-African ties have been scheduled in the knockout round.
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Zambia will face their West African counterparts Mali with Senegal coming up against Uganda on Friday. Other African countries in the knockout stage are Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Burkina Faso and Tunisia who will come up against European, Asian and North American opposition respectively.
Egypt carry Africa’s hopes in a European test against compact Switzerland. Hosts of AFCON 2025 at senior level, Morocco’s U-17s now seek a statement win against a well-drilled USA. South Africa’s resilience is rewarded with a meeting against Japan’s technical, high-tempo side.
Burkina Faso who earned their knockout berth with grit and big-moment goals will be up against Germany with Tunisia coming up against Austria.
With nine representatives in the last 32 and two all-African fixtures, the continent is guaranteed at least two teams in the Round of 16. The bracket also offers opportunities for further progress should Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Burkina Faso and Tunisia navigate their varied tests.
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