Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 (WAFCON 2026)

The 16th edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), also known as WAFCON 2026 or Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026, is the third consecutive tournament to take place in Morocco after the 2022 and 2024 editions. The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 was held from 26 July to 16 August 2026.

Africa’s premier women’s football championship is organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for national women’s teams across the continent. The tournament will once again be hosted by Morocco, marking the country’s third consecutive time as WAFCON host.

Originally scheduled for March–April, CAF has officially rescheduled WAFCON 2026 to run from 25 July to 16 August 2026 to better align with the global football calendar and ensure optimal preparations.

The competition has also been expanded from 12 to 16 teams, underlining the rapid growth of women’s football across Africa.

Nigeria arrive as defending champions, having defeated hosts Morocco 3–2 in the previous tournament’s final, which was delayed and eventually staged in 2025.

With a bigger format, a strong host nation, and a stacked lineup of contenders, the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 is shaping up to be one of the biggest women’s football tournaments in African history.

Here’s complete information on the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 fixtures, including dates, times, venue locations, match results, ticket details, and more.

Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 Morocco Fixtures

CAF confirmed that Morocco will host the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026, becoming the first country to stage three consecutive WAFCON editions and joining South Africa and Nigeria as three-time hosts overall.

Matches will be played across stadiums in Rabat, Casablanca and Fez, continuing the successful hosting model used in previous tournaments.

The decision to push the tournament to a new window – from the original 17 March–3 April dates to 25 July–16 August 2026 – followed high-level consultations between CAF, FIFA and other stakeholders, with “unforeseen circumstances” cited as the reason for the rescheduling.

The new dates place WAFCON shortly after the men’s 2026 FIFA World Cup, ensuring a strong spotlight on women’s football during the African summer.

Tournament Structure:

WAFCON 2026 will feature 16 teams for the first time, following CAF’s decision to expand the tournament after the conclusion of the 2026 qualification campaign.

Hosts Morocco qualified automatically, while the remaining places were decided through a two‑round qualification process held between February and October 2025.

The qualifying competition saw 38 national teams enter (out of 52 eligible), with 32 of them contesting the first round and the highest-ranked sides receiving byes to the second round.

After the second round, CAF confirmed that the 11 winners plus four additional teams – the highest‑ranked losing sides – would complete the 16‑nation lineup.

• Total teams: 16 national women’s teams
• Group stage: 4 groups of 4 teams (Groups A–D)
• Knockouts: Top 2 from each group advance to the quarter-finals
  • Quarterfinal
  • Semifinal
  • Final
• World Cup pathway: Semi-finalists qualify directly for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in Brazil
• Play‑off route: Quarter-final losers play off to determine which two teams go to the inter‑confederation play‑offs for the Women’s World Cup.

Teams and Groups

The final draw for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 took place in Rabat on 15 January 2026, confirming the four groups and host cities for the group stage.

Defending champions Nigeria were placed in a challenging Group C, while hosts Morocco headline Group A in the capital.

Groups A and B will be based in Rabat, Group C in Casablanca, and Group D in Fez, giving the tournament a multi‑city footprint while keeping travel manageable for teams and fans.

Group Stage Fixtures

Key Dates and Official Schedule

CAF’s rescheduled calendar places WAFCON 2026 firmly in the mid‑year international window, running from 25 July to 16 August 2026 in Morocco. Detailed match‑by‑match fixtures and kick‑off times will be released closer to the tournament start by CAF and the Local Organising Committee.

The group stage is expected to take place over the first two weeks, followed by quarter‑finals, semi‑finals and the final in mid‑August, though precise matchdays will be confirmed in the official fixtures list.

Venues and Host Cities

The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 featured 16 teams competing across 4 venues in 3 cities.

All the selected modern Moroccan venues in Rabat, Casablanca and Fez, cities that have already successfully hosted major CAF competitions in recent years.

These stadiums provide a mix of football‑specific atmospheres and large capacities suitable for continental finals.

• Rabat:
  • Moulay El Hassan Stadium (Group A)
  • Al Madina Stadium (Group B) – also expected to host knockout games.
• Casablanca:
  • Larbi Zaouli Stadium – base for Group C matches featuring defending champions Nigeria.
• Fez:
  • Fez Stadium: Major venue for Group D and later‑stage matches, continuing Morocco’s strategy of spreading fixtures across the country.

Groups and Standing

All 16 teams were divided into groups A to D, with each group consisting of four teams.

Group A – Teams and Fixtures

• Advance to the knockout stage Qualification – Top 2 teams

25 July – Morocco vs. Kenya – Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat
25 July – Algeria vs. Senegal – Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca
28 July – Morocco vs. Algeria – Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat
28 July – Senegal vs. Kenya – Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat
31 July – Morocco vs. Senegal – Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat
31 July – Kenya vs. Algeria – Al Medina Stadium, Rabat

Group B – Teams and Fixtures

• Advance to the knockout stage Qualification – Top 2 teams

25 July – South Africa vs. Tanzania – Al Medina Stadium, Rabat
25 July – Ivory Coast vs. Burkina Faso – Al Medina Stadium, Rabat
28 July – South Africa vs. Ivory Coast – Al Medina Stadium, Rabat
28 July – Burkina Faso vs. Tanzania – Al Medina Stadium, Rabat
31 July – Burkina Faso vs. South Africa – Al Medina Stadium, Rabat
31 July – Tanzania vs. Ivory Coast – Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat

Group C – Teams and Fixtures

• Advance to the knockout stage Qualification – Top 2 teams

26 July Nigeria vs. Malawi – Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca
26 July Zambia vs. Egypt – Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca
29 July Nigeria vs. Zambia – Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca
29 July Egypt vs. Malawi – Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca
01 Aug Egypt vs. Nigeria – Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca
01 Aug Malawi vs. Zambia – Complexe Sportif de Fès, Fès

Group D – Teams and Fixtures

• Advance to the knockout stage Qualification – Top 2 teams

26 July – Ghana vs. Cape Verde – Complexe Sportif de Fès, Fès
26 July – Cameroon vs. Mali – Complexe Sportif de Fès, Fès
29 July – Ghana vs. Cameroon – Complexe Sportif de Fès, Fès
29 July – Mali vs. Cape Verde – Complexe Sportif de Fès, Fès
01 Aug – Mali vs. Ghana – Complexe Sportif de Fès, Fès
01 Aug – Cape Verde vs. Cameroon – Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca

Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 Knockout stage

The knockout stage of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 took place from August 4 to 5, 2026, with the final match scheduled for August 16, 2026.

Quarter-Finals

The winners will join the team for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

• Semi-Finals: 9 August 2026

3rd Place Match

WAFCON 2026 final

Women’s AFCON 2026 and FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 Qualification

Beyond the continental title, WAFCON 2026 will act as Africa’s primary qualification route for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in Brazil.

The four semi‑finalists will automatically secure places at the World Cup, while the losing quarter‑finalists will play classification matches to determine which two additional teams advance to the inter‑confederation play‑offs.

This structure gives up to six African teams a pathway to the global stage – four via direct qualification and two via the play‑off route – underlining WAFCON’s growing importance in the women’s international calendar.

Key Teams and Storylines to Watch

Nigeria enter WAFCON 2026 as record champions and defending title‑holders, having won the last tournament in Morocco and extending their tally to a record 12 continental crowns. The Super Falcons have been drawn into a challenging Group C alongside Zambia, Egypt and debutants Malawi.

Hosts Morocco will look to finally lift the trophy after losing two straight finals, including their dramatic home defeat to Nigeria in the previous edition. Backed by passionate home support and familiar venues in Rabat, they headline Group A with Algeria, Senegal and Kenya.

South Africa, recent champions in 2022, will be eager to reclaim their place at the summit of African women’s football after being drawn in Group B with Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Tanzania. Traditional powers Ghana and Cameroon also feature prominently, placed in Group D together with Mali and Cape Verde.

Key player to watch

• Barbra Banda (Zambia 🇿🇲) | Position: Forward (Orlando Pride, USA)
• Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria 🇳🇬) | Position: Forward (Bay FC, USA)
• Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria 🇳🇬) | Position: Goalkeeper (Paris FC, France)
• Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa 🇿🇦) | Position: Forward (Tigres UANL, Mexico)
• Ghizlane Chebbak (Morocco 🇲🇦) | Position: Midfielder (FC Fleury 91, France)
• Racheal Kundananji (Zambia 🇿🇲) | Position: Forward (Bay FC, USA)
• Rasheedat Ajibade (Nigeria 🇳🇬) | Position: Forward (Atlético Madrid, Spain)
• Hildah Magaia (South Africa 🇿🇦) | Position: Forward (Mazatlán, Mexico)
• Fatima Tagnaout (Morocco 🇲🇦) | Position: Midfielder (AS FAR, Morocco)
• Evelyn Badu (Ghana 🇬🇭) | Position: Midfielder (FC Fleury 91, France)

How to Follow Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026

CAF will publish the full match schedule, kick‑off times and broadcast partners for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 closer to the start of the tournament via its official channels and national associations.

Fans can expect comprehensive coverage across African broadcasters, as well as digital and streaming options in key global markets, following the model used for recent CAF competitions.

With an expanded 16‑team format, high‑stakes World Cup qualification, and Morocco once again hosting on home soil, the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 promises to be a landmark event in the growth of women’s football in Africa and worldwide.

How to watch the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026?

You can watch the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) through the following confirmed broadcasters and streaming platforms. 

• Sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport Coverage across all DStv packages.
• North Africa & Middle East: beIN Sports Exclusive broadcaster for the MENA region.
• France: beIN Sports, Canal+ Confirmed rights holders.
• USA & Canada: beIN Sports Likely available via Fanatiz or FuboTV add-ons.
• Global (Unsold Markets): CAF TV (YouTube) Live streaming for countries without TV deals