Everything You Need To Know About WAFCON 2026

Everything You Need To Know About WAFCON 2026

By Niyi Busari 

The delayed 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is set to get underway in Morocco on 26 July, with the North African nation hosting the continental showpiece for the third consecutive time, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Originally scheduled for 17 March to 3 April, the tournament was postponed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) just days before its planned start because of what the governing body described as "unforeseen circumstances."

The revised schedule will see Africa's top 16 women's national teams compete across 34 matches, culminating in the final on 16 August.

World Cup Qualification at Stake

Beyond continental supremacy, this year's championship carries added significance as it also serves as a qualification tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil.

The four semi-finalists will automatically qualify for the global tournament, while the four losing quarter-finalists will contest play-off matches for two places in the intercontinental qualifiers.

Group Stage Draw

The 16 participating nations have been divided into four groups of four.

Group A: Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, Kenya

Group B: South Africa, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Tanzania

Group C: Nigeria, Zambia, Egypt, Malawi

Group D: Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, Cape Verde

Hosts Morocco headline Group A alongside regional rivals Algeria, Senegal and returning Kenya.

Defending champions Nigeria begin their quest for a record-extending 11th WAFCON title in Group C, where they face Zambia, Egypt and tournament debutants Malawi.

Former champions South Africa lead Group B with Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Tanzania, while Ghana headline Group D alongside Cameroon, Mali and first-time participants Cape Verde.

The top two teams from each group will progress to the quarter-finals.

Nigeria Target Another Continental Crown

The Super Falcons arrive in Morocco as defending champions and remain Africa's most successful women's national team with 10 WAFCON titles.

Head coach Justin Madugu will rely on an experienced squad led by captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player at the previous edition, while three-time African Goalkeeper of the Year Chiamaka Nnadozie is expected to play a key role.

South Africa, champions in 2022, remain among the favourites under experienced coach Desiree Ellis, while hosts Morocco will hope home support helps them go one better after finishing runners-up in the last two editions.

Ghana and Zambia are also expected to challenge for honours, with the Copper Queens banking on the quality of captain Barbra Banda, the 2024 BBC Women's Footballer of the Year.

Tournament Venues

Unlike the previous edition, which was staged across five cities, this year's tournament will be played in Rabat and Casablanca, using five stadiums:

- Moulay Hassan Stadium (Rabat)

- Olympic Stadium (Rabat)

- Al Medina Stadium (Rabat)

- Larbi Zaouli Stadium (Casablanca)

- Moulay Rachid Stadium (Casablanca)

The venue for the final is expected to be confirmed closer to the showpiece, with either the Moulay Hassan Stadium or Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium set to host the decider.

Opening Fixtures

The tournament begins on 26 July with Algeria taking on Senegal before hosts Morocco face Kenya later that evening.

Nigeria open their title defence on 28 July against Malawi before a highly anticipated clash with Zambia on 1 August. Their final group game comes against Egypt on 5 August.

Knockout Schedule

The quarter-finals will be played on 8 and 9 August, followed by the semi-finals on 12 August.

Play-off matches for the remaining Women's World Cup qualification spots are scheduled for 13 August, while the third-place match will be played on 15 August.

The WAFCON 2026 final will take place on 16 August, bringing to a close another chapter in Africa's premier women's football competition.