WAFCON 2026 Kicks Off in Morocco as Africa’s Best Women’s Teams Battle for Continental Glory

The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is set to kick off in Morocco on July 26, bringing together 16 of Africa’s top women’s national football teams in what promises to be the biggest edition of the tournament in history.

Hosted by Morocco for the third consecutive time, the competition will run until August 16, with matches taking place across five stadiums in Rabat and Casablanca. The tournament was originally scheduled to begin in March but was postponed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) just days before kick-off due to unforeseen circumstances.

This year’s championship carries greater significance than ever before. In addition to competing for the continental title, participating teams will also battle for qualification to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The four semi-finalists will automatically secure their places at the global tournament, while the four quarter-final losers will compete in additional qualification play-offs for the remaining African slots.

A total of 34 matches will be played throughout the competition, making it the largest Women’s Africa Cup of Nations ever staged.

The 16 qualified nations have been divided into four groups. Group A features hosts Morocco alongside Algeria, Senegal and Kenya. Group B includes South Africa, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Tanzania. In Group C, defending champions Nigeria will face Zambia, Egypt and Malawi, while Group D consists of Ghana, Cameroon, Mali and tournament debutants Cape Verde.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons enter the tournament as defending champions and Africa’s highest-ranked women’s national team. The nine-time continental giants are chasing a record 11th WAFCON title, with goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, a three-time African Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year, and captain Rasheedat Ajibade expected to play key roles in their campaign.

Host nation Morocco is also considered one of the favourites after finishing runners-up in the previous two editions. The Atlas Lionesses are coached by Jorge Vilda, who guided Spain to victory at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. South Africa, champions in 2022 under experienced coach Desiree Ellis, will also be among the leading contenders, while Ghana and Zambia are expected to challenge strongly, with Zambian striker Barbra Banda once again attracting global attention.

CAF has also announced a record increase in prize money for the tournament. The champions will receive $2 million, double the amount awarded in the previous edition. The runners-up will earn $750,000, while every participating nation is guaranteed $150,000. Overall prize money for the competition has risen to $5.8 million, reflecting CAF’s continued investment in the growth of women’s football across the continent.

The opening day will feature Algeria against Senegal before hosts Morocco take on Kenya. Other highly anticipated group-stage fixtures include South Africa versus Ivory Coast, Nigeria against Zambia, Ghana versus Cameroon, Morocco against Algeria, and Nigeria against Egypt. The knockout stages begin on August 8, with the final scheduled for August 16 in Rabat.

With record prize money, World Cup qualification at stake and some of Africa’s biggest football stars in action, WAFCON 2026 is expected to showcase the rapid growth and rising competitiveness of women’s football across the continent.

TNAM
By Egwu Patience Nnennaya
Tuesday August 4th, 2026.