Djibouti has withdrawn its national U-17 football team from the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations CECAFA qualifiers, in a last-minute development announced on October 7.

The Djibouti Football Federation informed the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) that the team would not participate in the tournament scheduled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda, from October 10 to 19. The federation cited exceptional circumstances beyond its control.

Djibouti had been drawn in a group alongside Tanzania and Kenya, but its withdrawal means tournament organizers must adjust the group structure.

CECAFA officials said a new mini-draw would be conducted to balance the groups. The remaining teams will compete for qualification places representing the CECAFA region at the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.

The announcement comes amid wider uncertainty surrounding Djibouti football, with a dispute over the leadership of the Djibouti Football Federation escalating in recent days.

Djibouti’s withdrawal is now one of the country’s biggest football developments ahead of the regional youth qualifiers.