The 2026 WAFCON will bring Africa women’s national teams together in Morocco from 26 July to 16 August, with the continental title offering a route to qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Now in its 14th edition, the tournament will be the biggest in WAFCON history, with the field expanded to 16 teams for the first time. The qualified nations have been divided into four groups of four, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the quarter-finals.
Morocco will host the tournament for a third consecutive edition. Nigeria return as defending champions and the most successful nation in the competition’s history, while South Africa are the only other former champions in the 2026 field. Malawi and Cape Verde will make their first appearances at the finals.
Venues
The competition will be staged across two Moroccan cities, with matches taking place in Rabat and Casablanca.
Rabat will host games at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat Olympic Stadium and Al Medina Stadium, while Casablanca will stage matches at the Moulay Rachid Stadium and Larbi Zaouli Stadium.
Group Breakdown
Group A
Morocco
Morocco have established themselves among Africa’s leading women’s football nations after reaching the final at the last two editions. The Atlas Lionesses came within one victory of a maiden WAFCON title in 2022, losing to South Africa, before suffering another final defeat to Nigeria despite leading 2–0 in the 2024 edition played in 2025.
With home advantage once again behind them, Morocco will hope a third consecutive tournament on home soil delivers the trophy.
Algeria
Algeria reached the quarter-finals at the 2024 edition, exiting without conceding a goal in open play or extra time. They will be seeking another appearance in the knockout stage. Their meeting with Morocco will be one of the standout fixtures of the group stage, but Algeria must also negotiate other matches in a competitive section.
Senegal
Senegal have reached the quarter-finals at the last two editions and will be aiming to take another step forward in Morocco. The Teranga Lionesses have become a consistent presence at the finals and will look to their recent tournament experience as they compete for one of the two qualification places from Group A.
Kenya
Kenya return to the WAFCON finals for the first time since 2016. The Harambee Starlets face a difficult challenge against three teams with recent experience of competing at the highest level of African women’s football, but their return to the continental stage represents an important opportunity to re-establish themselves.
Group B
South Africa
South Africa are the 2022 champions and one of the leading contenders for the title. Banyana Banyana will be boosted by the return of star striker Thembi Kgatlana, who missed the previous edition, while Desiree Ellis’ side will be determined to reclaim the trophy after finishing fourth in 2024.
Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire achieved their best WAFCON finish in 2014, securing third place by defeating South Africa, a result that earned them their debut appearance at the Women’s World Cup in 2015. Making their third overall appearance at the finals, the Elephants will look to build on that legacy and compete for a place in the knockout stage against some of Africa’s strongest teams.
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso will make their second appearance at the WAFCON finals. Having competed at the 2022 edition, the Lady Stallions return with another opportunity to progress beyond the group stage and establish themselves as a more consistent presence among Africa’s leading women’s teams.
Tanzania
Tanzania made their WAFCON debut in 2010 and returned to the tournament in 2024 after a 15-year absence. Making their third overall appearance at the finals in 2026, the Twiga Stars will hope their growing experience can help them progress beyond the group stage and reach the knockout rounds for the first time.
Group C
Nigeria (Defending Champions)
Nigeria are the most successful nation in WAFCON history, having won the title 10 times. The Super Falcons reclaimed the trophy in 2024 after defeating Morocco in the final. They have appeared at every edition of the competition since its official launch in 1998, reaching at least the semi-finals on every occasion, and will be targeting an 11th continental crown in Morocco.
Zambia
Zambia have developed into one of the continent’s leading sides and remain in search of their first WAFCON title. The Copper Queens possess significant attacking quality and have consistently challenged Africa’s established powers in recent years, finishing third at the 2022 edition before reaching the quarter-finals in 2024. They will be hoping to build on that progress and go a step further in Morocco.
Egypt
Egypt will make their third appearance at the WAFCON finals, having previously competed in 1998 and 2016. The Pharaohs exited at the group stage on both occasions and will be hoping to go further on their return to the continental stage after a 10-year absence.
Malawi
Malawi will make their WAFCON debut. The Scorchers have made significant progress in recent years and will arrive with the opportunity to create history in their maiden campaign. Led by the experienced Chawinga sisters, their attacking threat could make them a dangerous opponent in their first appearance at the continental finals.
Group D
Ghana
Ghana have reached the WAFCON final three times but have never won the competition. After missing the 2022 edition, the Black Queens returned in 2024 and secured a bronze medal. They will be determined to build on that achievement and challenge for a place in the final once again.
Cameroon
Cameroon are among the most experienced teams in African women’s football. The Indomitable Lionesses have missed only one edition since the competition’s official launch, sitting out the 2022 tournament. They have finished outside the top four just once, in 2000, and have been runners-up three times. That impressive record makes them one of the teams to watch in Morocco.
Mali
Mali have become an increasingly competitive force in African women’s football. The Eagles reached the semi-finals in 2018 before advancing to the quarter-finals in 2024. They will be hoping to build on that progress and make another deep run in Morocco.
Cape Verde
Cape Verde’s qualification marks a significant milestone for the country’s women’s game. The Blue Sharks secured their place in the finals by defeating Mali 4–3 on aggregate after coming from behind in the second leg. They will be hoping to make an immediate impact on the continental stage on their first-ever outing.
The World Cup Stakes
The 2026 WAFCON will also determine Africa’s representatives at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Four quarter-final winners will qualify directly for the tournament in Brazil, while the four losing teams will have another opportunity through play-offs. Two of those teams will advance to the inter-confederation FIFA Play-Off Tournament.
That makes the quarter-finals particularly significant, with every team reaching that stage still having a route to the World Cup.
Prize Money
CAF has significantly increased the financial rewards ahead of the 2026 WAFCON, with the winners’ prize money doubling from the $1 million awarded at the previous edition to $2 million. The total prize fund has also risen by 67%, from $3.475 million to a record $5.8 million.
Players to Watch
Ghizlane Chebbak (Morocco) – The reigning CAF Women’s Player of the Year, Morocco captain and back-to-back WAFCON Golden Boot winner, Chebbak will be central to the hosts’ hopes of turning two successive final appearances into a first continental title. Her creativity, goalscoring and leadership will be vital to Morocco’s campaign.
Esther Okoronkwo (Nigeria) – One of Nigeria’s standout players in 2024, Okoronkwo scored two goals and provided six assists, including one goal and two assists in the final, where she was named Player of the Match. Her attacking quality will be key to the holders’ title defence, alongside Rasheedat Ajibade, who was named Player of the Tournament at that edition.
Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa) – The 2018 Golden Boot winner and Player of the Tournament, Kgatlana returns after missing the 2024 edition. Her pace and experience will be crucial as South Africa seek to reclaim the title.
Barbra Banda (Zambia) – One of Africa’s most dangerous forwards, Banda’s power, pace and finishing make her a major threat. Alongside Racheal Kundananji, she gives Zambia a formidable attacking duo as the Copper Queens pursue a first WAFCON title.
Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi) – One of Africa’s most prolific attackers, Chawinga brings experience and a proven goalscoring record to Malawi’s first appearance at the finals. Her sister Temwa adds further pace and attacking threat.
Rosemonde Kouassi (Côte d’Ivoire) – Kouassi’s pace, dribbling and directness make her one of the continent’s most exciting attackers. She will be central to Côte d’Ivoire’s hopes of making an impact on their return to the finals.
Chloé N’Gazi (Algeria) – N’Gazi was one of the standout goalkeepers at the 2024 edition, helping Algeria go four consecutive matches without conceding in open play or extra time. She will be key to Algeria’s hopes of another strong campaign.
The 2026 edition will also reach new audiences in the United Kingdom through Channel 4 and in Germany and surrounding territories through DAZN, with broadcasters across Africa and other territories also set to show the competition.
With the continent’s top teams competing for the title, a record $2 million prize for the winner and a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Morocco 2026 promises a highly competitive tournament.
