Everything You Need To Know About WAFCON 2026

The long-delayed 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is finally set to kick off, with Morocco hosting the finals for a third consecutive time.

The tournament was originally slated to run from March 17 to April 3, but the Confederation of African Football pushed it back just 12 days before the scheduled start. Now, coming barely a year after the delayed 2024 edition, Wafcon 2026 gets underway on Sunday, July 26, with Algeria facing Senegal in the tournament opener in Rabat (17:00 GMT). CAF pointed to “unforeseen circumstances” behind the postponement, though the extra time has allowed for an expanded 16-team format featuring 34 matches, wrapping up with the final on Sunday, August 16.

This edition carries extra weight as a qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, all four semi-finalists will punch their ticket to Brazil, while the four beaten quarter-finalists will compete for two remaining spots via an intercontinental play-off.

Groups

The 16 teams are divided into four groups of four:

• Group A: Morocco (hosts), Algeria, Senegal, Kenya
• Group B: South Africa, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Tanzania
• Group C: Nigeria (holders), Zambia, Egypt, Malawi
• Group D: Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, Cape Verde

Host nation Morocco faces a North African derby against Algeria, along with matches against Senegal and Kenya, the latter returning to the tournament for the first time in a decade. Reigning champions Nigeria, who defeated Morocco in last year’s final, will contend with Zambia — the top-ranked side in their pot — plus Egypt and first-time participants Malawi. 2022 winners South Africa take on Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, and Tanzania, while Ghana were drawn against Cameroon, Mali, and tournament debutants Cape Verde. The top two finishers in each group advance to the quarter-finals.
Schedule

Kick-offs throughout the tournament are set for 17:00 GMT and 20:00 GMT, apart from the final. Quarter-finals fall on August 8-9, both semi-finals follow on August 12, and the final takes place Sunday, August 16 at 19:00 GMT.

Group stage highlights include:

• July 26: Algeria v Senegal (17:00); Morocco v Kenya (20:00)
• July 28: Zambia v Egypt (17:00); Nigeria v Malawi (20:00)
• August 1: Egypt v Malawi (17:00); Nigeria v Zambia (20:00)
• August 5: Egypt v Nigeria (20:00); Malawi v Zambia (20:00)

Quarter-finals (Aug 8-9): Winner Group B v Runner-up Group A; Winner Group A v Runner-up Group B; Winner Group D v Runner-up Group C; Winner Group C v Runner-up Group D

Semi-finals (Aug 12): Winner QF2 v Winner QF3 (17:00); Winner QF1 v Winner QF4 (20:00)

World Cup play-offs (Aug 13): Losing quarter-finalists face off for two remaining 2027 World Cup slots

Third-place play-off (Aug 15): Loser SF1 v Loser SF2

Final (Aug 16): Winner SF1 v Winner SF2, 19:00 GMT

Venues

Unlike last year’s six-stadium, five-city spread, this edition uses five stadiums across just two cities — Rabat and Casablanca. Berkane, Mohammedia, and Oujda have been dropped as hosts, and matches originally planned for Fes have been relocated to Casablanca. The five venues in use are:

• Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat
• Olympic Stadium, Rabat
• Al Medina Stadium, Rabat
• Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca
• Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca

Morocco’s home matches will be played at Moulay Hassan Stadium, which will also host a quarter-final and a semi-final. The final’s venue is still undecided, it will be either Moulay Hassan or the larger Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, with the latter the likely choice should Morocco reach the final.

Contenders

Only Nigeria and South Africa have won this tournament before. Nigeria’s Super Falcons arrive as both defending champions and Africa’s top-ranked side under coach Justin Madugu, backed by goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, Africa’s best keeper for three straight years — and captain Rasheedat Ajibade, last year’s finals MVP.

Morocco, despite heavy investment in its women’s game, has yet to match the success of its men’s team continentally. The Atlas Lionesses have finished runners-up in the last two editions and are now guided by Jorge Vilda, who led Spain to World Cup glory in 2023.

South Africa remain a threat under veteran coach Desiree Ellis, while Ghana return under Kim Bjorkegren following a third-place finish last year. Zambia round out the group of likely contenders, led by 2024 BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year Barbra Banda, though they’ll be hoping to avoid a repeat of last year’s 5-0 quarter-final defeat to Nigeria.