Rabat, Morocco (Running Africa) — The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) begins on Sunday, July 26, with Algeria taking on Senegal at Rabat’s Olympic Stadium, launching Africa’s premier women’s football tournament after a four-month postponement.
Hosted by Morocco, the competition will run until August 16, bringing together 16 national teams for 34 matches across five venues in Rabat and Casablanca.
Beyond lifting Africa’s biggest women’s football trophy, teams will also be fighting for coveted places at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Road to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup
The stakes are higher than ever, with the four WAFCON semi-finalists earning automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The four losing quarter-finalists will have one final opportunity to qualify by competing for two places in the intercontinental play-offs, making every knockout fixture crucial.
The tournament was originally scheduled to begin in March 2026, but the Confederation of African Football (CAF) postponed the event just 12 days before kick-off, citing unforeseen circumstances.
2026 WAFCON Group Stage Draw
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
Nigeria Chasing Historic 11th WAFCON Title
Defending champions Nigeria arrive in Morocco as favorites to capture a record-extending 11th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.
Head coach Justin Madugu will look to captain Rasheedat Ajibade, the reigning WAFCON Most Valuable Player, to inspire another title-winning campaign alongside Chiamaka Nnadozie, the three-time CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year.
With one of the strongest squads on the continent, the Super Falcons remain the benchmark for women’s football in Africa.
Morocco Eye Maiden Continental Crown
Tournament hosts Morocco will once again aim to make history after finishing runners-up in the previous two WAFCON editions.
Led by head coach Jorge Vilda, who guided Spain to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup title, the Atlas Lionesses will look to capitalize on home support in their pursuit of a first continental championship.
South Africa, Zambia Among Leading Contenders
Reigning 2022 WAFCON champions South Africa enter the tournament determined to defend their crown after making history in the last edition.
Meanwhile, Zambia, led by African football star Barbra Banda, is widely regarded as one of the tournament’s strongest challengers following their rapid rise on the international stage.
Cape Verde and Malawi Make History
The 2026 tournament will also mark a historic milestone for Cape Verde and Malawi, both of whom will make their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations debut.
Meanwhile, Kenya returns to WAFCON for the first time in a decade, adding another compelling storyline to an increasingly competitive tournament.
2026 WAFCON Key Dates
- Opening Match: July 26 – Algeria vs Senegal
- Quarter-finals: August 8–9
- Semi-finals: August 12
- Final: August 16 – Rabat (19:00 GMT)
With continental supremacy, Women’s World Cup qualification, and African football history on the line, the 2026 WAFCON promises to showcase the continued growth and rising competitiveness of women’s football across the continent.
