FIFA has officially confirmed that the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will take place in Morocco from October 17 to November 7. This tournament will be significant as it is the second edition of the newly expanded competition, featuring 24 teams instead of the traditional format. The decision to host the tournament in Morocco comes as a part of a larger strategy, as the country has been awarded multi-year rights to host the U-17 Women’s World Cup from 2025 to 2029. This milestone makes Morocco the first African nation to host women’s youth global tournaments on an annual basis.

The upcoming 2026 edition of the tournament will have representation from six different confederations, enhancing the competition's global appeal. As the host nation, Morocco qualifies automatically for the tournament, while four additional slots are reserved for other African nations, which will be filled through qualification rounds set to take place between May and July 2026. This format encourages wider participation from African nations, promoting the growth of women's football on the continent.

The announcement from FIFA comes following recent controversies related to Morocco, indicating the significance of establishing a successful hosting of the tournament to set a positive tone for future global events. The recognition of Morocco's capabilities as a host nation underlines FIFA's commitment to expanding the reach and recognition of women's football, particularly in regions that have been traditionally underrepresented in the sport.