The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is set to be one of the most significant editions in the tournament’s history. Taking place in Morocco from 25 July to 16 August, the competition brings together the continent’s 16 best national teams with far more than the continental title at stake.
For the first time, WAFCON will also serve as Africa’s qualification tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, adding extra importance to every knockout match. Alongside the race for continental glory, teams will battle for places at women’s football’s biggest international tournament.
Defending champions Nigeria return in search of an unprecedented 11th WAFCON title, while hosts Morocco hope home advantage can carry them to their first continental crown. South Africa aim to confirm their place among Africa’s elite after their recent success, and Zambia’s talented generation arrives with genuine ambitions of challenging the continent’s traditional powers.
This guide contains everything you need to know about WAFCON 2026, from the tournament format and participating teams to venues, World Cup qualification and the complete match schedule.
When is the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026
The tournament will be played between 25 July and 16 August 2026. The group stage runs until 6 August, before the competition moves into the knockout rounds beginning with the quarter-finals on 8 and 9 August.
The semi-finals take place on 12 August, while the third-place play-off is scheduled for 15 August. The 2026 WAFCON Final will be played on 16 August in Rabat.
Where is WAFCON 2026 being played?
Morocco will once again host Africa’s biggest women’s football tournament, with matches split between Rabat and Casablanca.
Rabat
- Moulay El Hassan Stadium
- Olympic Stadium
- Al Madina Stadium
Casablanca
- Moulay Rachid Stadium
- Larbi Zaouli Stadium
The tournament will conclude with the final at the Moulay El Hassan / Moulay Abdallah Stadium in Rabat.
Which teams qualified for WAFCON 2026?
Sixteen nations will compete for the continental title.
Group A
- Morocco
- Algeria
- Senegal
- Kenya
Group B
- South Africa
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Burkina Faso
- Tanzania
Group C
- Nigeria
- Zambia
- Egypt
- Malawi
Group D
- Ghana
- Cameroon
- Mali
- Cape Verde
The field combines established African powerhouses with emerging nations, creating one of the most competitive WAFCON tournaments to date.
WAFCON 2026 Tournament Format
The tournament features 16 teams divided into four groups of four. Each nation plays three group-stage matches. The top two teams from every group advance to the quarter-finals before the tournament becomes a straight knockout competition consisting of:
- Quarter-finals
- Semi-finals
- Third-place play-off
- Final
Unlike previous editions, every knockout match carries additional significance because of its connection to World Cup qualification.
How Does WAFCON 2026 Qualify Teams for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup?
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations serves as Africa’s qualification tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The four quarter-final winners will automatically qualify for the World Cup.
The four teams eliminated in the quarter-finals will remain in contention through the FIFA Women’s World Cup play-off pathway, giving them another opportunity to secure a place in Brazil. That means reaching the semi-finals guarantees qualification, making the quarter-finals arguably the most important stage of the entire tournament.
Full WAFCON 2026 Schedule
The tournament opens on 26 July when hosts Morocco face Kenya, while defending champions Nigeria begin their title defence against Malawi on 28 July. The group stage concludes on 6 August, before the quarter-finals begin two days later.
The complete fixture list, including every group-stage match, knockout fixture and World Cup qualification play-off, can be found in the table below. Times are in GMT+1.
| Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 Schedule | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Time | Match | Group | Location |
| 26 July 2026 | 21:00 | Morocco vs. Kenya | A | MES Rabat |
| 26 July 2026 | 18:00 | Algeria vs. Senegal | A | OS Rabat |
| 27 July 2026 | 18:00 | South Africa vs. Tanzania | B | MRS Casablanca |
| 27 July 2026 | 21:00 | Cote d’Ivoire vs. Burkina Faso | B | LZS Casablanca |
| 28 July 2026 | 21:00 | Nigeria vs. Malawi | C | AMS Rabat |
| 28 July 2026 | 18:00 | Zambia vs. Egypt | C | OS Rabat |
| 29 July 2026 | 18:00 | Ghana vs. Cape Verde | D | MRS Casablanca |
| 29 July 2026 | 21:00 | Cameroon vs. Mali | D | LZS Casablanca |
| Date | Time | Match | Group | Location |
| 30 July 2026 | 21:00 | Morocco vs. Algeria | A | MES Rabat |
| 30 July 2026 | 18:00 | Senegal vs. Kenya | A | OS Rabat |
| 31 July 2026 | 18:00 | South Africa vs. Côte d’Ivoire | B | MRS Casablanca |
| 31 July 2026 | 21:00 | Burkina Faso vs. Tanzania | B | LZS Casablanca |
| 1 Aug 2026 | 21:00 | Nigeria vs. Zambia | C | AMS Rabat |
| 1 Aug 2026 | 18:00 | Egypt vs. Malawi | C | MH Rabat |
| 2 Aug 2026 | 18:00 | Ghana vs. Cameroon | D | MRS Casablanca |
| 2 Aug 2026 | 21:00 | Mali vs. Cape Verde | D | LZS Casablanca |
| Date | Time | Match | Group | Location |
| 3 Aug 2026 | 21:00 | Senegal vs. Morocco | A | MES Rabat |
| 3 Aug 2026 | 21:00 | Kenya vs. Algeria | A | OS Rabat |
| 4 Aug 2026 | 21:00 | Burkina Faso vs. South Africa | B | MRS Casablanca |
| 4 Aug 2026 | 21:00 | Tanzania vs. Côte d’Ivoire | B | LZS Casablanca |
| 5 Aug 2026 | 21:00 | Egypt vs. Nigeria | C | OS Rabat |
| 5 Aug 2026 | 21:00 | Malawi vs. Zambia | C | AMS Rabat |
| 6 Aug 2026 | 21:00 | Mali vs. Ghana | D | MRS Casablanca |
| 6 Aug 2026 | 21:00 | Cape Verde vs. Cameroon | D | LZS Casablanca |
| Date | Time | Match | Group | Location |
| 8 Aug 2026 | 21:00 | A1 vs. B2 | QF 1 | MES Rabat |
| 8 Aug 2026 | 18:00 | B1 vs. A2 | QF 2 | MRS Casablanca |
| 9 Aug 2026 | 21:00 | C1 vs. D2 | QF 3 | AMS Rabat |
| 9 Aug 2026 | 18:00 | D1 vs. C2 | QF 4 | LZS Casablanca |
| Date | Time | Match | Group | Location |
| 12 Aug 2026 | 21:00 | Winner QF 1 vs. Winner QF 4 | SF 1 | MES Rabat |
| 12 Aug 2026 | 18:00 | Winner QF 2 vs. Winner QF 3 | SF 2 | OS Rabat |
| Date | Time | Match | Group | Location |
| 13 Aug 2026 | 21:00 | Loser QF 1 vs. Loser QF 4 | WC Play-Offs | MRS Casablanca |
| 13 Aug 2026 | 18:00 | Loser QF 2 vs. Loser QF 3 | WC Play-Offs | LZS Casablanca |
| Date | Time | Match | Group | Location |
| 15 Aug 2026 | 18:00 | Loser SF 1 vs. Loser SF 2 | 3rd Place | OS Rabat |
| Date | Time | Match | Group | Location |
| 16 Aug 2026 | 20:00 | Winner SF 1 vs. Winner SF 2 | Final | MEH/MA Rabat |
More on the WAFCON 2026 Schedule here.
Key Storylines to Watch
Can Nigeria win an 11th African title?
Nigeria remain the most successful nation in WAFCON history, having lifted the trophy 10 times.
The Super Falcons once again enter the tournament as one of the favourites and will be determined to defend the title they won at the previous edition. Their experience in major tournaments makes them one of the teams every nation hopes to avoid in the knockout rounds.
Can Morocco lift the trophy at home?
Morocco have invested heavily in women’s football over recent years and now have another opportunity to make history on home soil.
Playing in front of home supporters gives them an opportunity to challenge Africa’s traditional powers and potentially win their first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
South Africa’s next chapter
South Africa have established themselves among Africa’s strongest teams in recent years.
WAFCON 2026 presents another opportunity to demonstrate that their recent success was not a one-off and that they can continue competing with the continent’s best nations.
Zambia’s Golden Generation
Few teams possess as much attacking talent as Zambia.
Led by one of the strongest generations in the country’s history, Zambia arrive with realistic ambitions of challenging for the title rather than simply reaching the knockout stages.
Prize Money Continues to Grow
CAF has continued investing in women’s football across Africa. Over the past five years, the winner’s prize money has increased from USD 150,000 to USD 1 million, reflecting the growing importance and commercial development of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The increased financial rewards form part of CAF’s wider commitment to raising standards across women’s football on the continent.
Where to Watch WAFCON 2026
Supporters around the world will be able to follow the tournament through a number of broadcasters, including:
- Canal+ Afrique
- Canal+ Sport
- beIN Sports
- SuperSport
- ESPN
- CAF TV
Broadcast availability may vary depending on your country. We will update the list as soon as we know more.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does WAFCON 2026 start?
The tournament begins on 25 July 2026, with the opening matches taking place on 26 July.
When is the WAFCON 2026 Final?
The final will be played on 16 August 2026 in Rabat.
Who are the defending champions?
Nigeria are the defending champions after winning their record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.
How many teams are playing?
Sixteen national teams will compete at WAFCON 2026.
How do teams qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup?
The four quarter-final winners qualify directly for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027, while the four losing quarter-finalists advance to the FIFA Women’s World Cup play-off pathway.
Which country is hosting WAFCON 2026?
Morocco will host the tournament across venues in Rabat and Casablanca.
Why It Matters
The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations represents another milestone in the rapid growth of women’s football across Africa.
With expanded investment, record prize money and direct qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup on the line, every match carries added significance. Traditional giants such as Nigeria, South Africa and Cameroon face increasing competition from ambitious challengers including Morocco, Zambia, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, making this one of the most open editions in recent memory.
As the tournament unfolds, this guide will continue to serve as the central hub for our WAFCON 2026 coverage, with team previews, player profiles, schedule updates and match analysis available throughout the competition.
Source: CAF
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