Rwanda U20 head coach Andre Casa Mbungo has summoned a 25-woman provisional squad to prepare for the forthcoming first round of the African U20 Women’s World Cup 2026 qualifying matches against Zimbabwe.

Rwanda U20 will welcome Zimbabwe in Kigali on May 11 before both teams face off in the return leg in Harare on May 14.

The team is currently camping at La Palisse Hotel, Nyamata, and is holding training sessions twice a day at Bugesera Stadium.

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Rwanda has never qualified past the second round of the U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers. The country was eliminated from the same round during the qualifiers in 2021, following a humiliating 8-0 loss to Ethiopia over two legs.

However, Mbungo is optimistic his charges can go all the way and reach at least the final round for the first time.

The winner between Rwanda and Zimbabwe will face Nigeria in the second round.

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The qualification will be played in four knockout rounds. After the third round, eight teams will advance into the fourth and final round where the best two teams will qualify to represent Africa at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.

The tournament will feature 24 nations, including four representatives from Africa.

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A total of 38 African teams are vying for the four coveted slots, with the qualifiers set to unfold over four knockout rounds of home-and-away fixtures.

Qualifiers Format

First Round: The 12 lowest-ranked teams, based on previous U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers performance, will contest in this round. The six winners will advance to join the 26 top-ranked teams exempted from the first round.

Second Round: The six first-round winners and 26 exempted teams will form 32 teams. These will battle it out for 16 spots in the third round.

Third Round: The remaining 16 teams will compete in a knockout format to determine the eight teams advancing to the fourth round.

Fourth Round: The final eight teams will play knockout ties, with the winners earning qualification to the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Belyse Iramuzi (Mutunda FC), Rosine Uwamahoro (APER) and Joana Maombi (APR)

Defenders: Amina Niyubahwe(APER), Bonette Uwase (APR), Regine Ihirwe (APR), Gisele Ingabire (Forever), Honette N. Mushikiwabo (Gatsibo), Chance Ndayizeye (APR), Rehema Umutoni (Nyagatare) and Betty Uwase (APAER)

Midfielders: Jeanette Umutoni (APR), Hamida Nyiranteziryayo (Macuba), Phionah Kabavuke (Kamonyi), Fatina Uwase (APR), Schoolstique Gikundiro (Rayon Sports) and Elvine Dukundane (Mutunda)

Strikers: Des Anges Nirere (APAER), Claudette Murekatete (Kamonyi), Grace Uwingeneye (APAER), Darleine Ishimwe (Forever) and Claudette Gisubizo (APR).