The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 (WAFCON) commences in Morocco from July 16 to August 16.
The 2026 edition will feature 16 teams for the first time, expanded from 12, and will take place across five venues—three in Rabat and two in Casablanca.
The 16 teams are divided into four groups of four teams each. The four semi-finalists will secure automatic qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027, making every knockout-stage match crucial in the quest to reach the world’s biggest stage.
The four losing quarter-finalists will play an additional round to determine Africa’s two representatives for the inter-continental play-off for another chance to qualify for the World Cup.
Why was WAFCON rescheduled?
Initially, the tournament was due to be held from March 17 to April 3, but just 12 days before the start, CAF announced it would be postponed due to “certain unforeseen circumstances.”
Who are the favourites to win this year?
Nigeria’s Super Falcons, as the most successful African nation in women’s football, remain the team to beat as the team bids for a record-extending 11th crown. They are also the continent’s top-ranked side.
But three-time finalists Ghana, who scored seven goals and conceded none during the qualification phase, are expected to give the heavyweights a run for their money.
Zambia, who also had a dominant display in the qualifiers and sealed a fourth consecutive WAFCON berth, are in the mix, while Morocco, runners-up at the last two editions, will once again look to turn fervent home support into silverware.
What is the prize money for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026?
The WAFCON 2026 champion will take home $2m, double the prize money of the last edition. However, it is still significantly lower than the $10m offered to this year’s men’s AFCON champions.
The runners-up will pick up $750,000 – an increase of 50 percent – while the overall prize pot has increased from $3.475m to $5.8m.
5 key fixtures
Nigeria vs. Malawi (July 28)
South Africa vs. Ivory Coast (July 31)
Nigeria vs. Zambia (August 1)
Ghana vs. Cameroon (August 2)
Malawi vs. Zambia (August 5)
Group A
Morocco (hosts)
Algeria
Senegal
Kenya
Matchday 1 – Sunday, 26 July
Algeria vs Senegal – 19:00 CET – Olympic Stadium, Rabat
Morocco vs Kenya – 22:00 CET – Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat
Matchday 2 – Thursday, 30 July
Senegal vs Kenya – 19:00 CET – Olympic Stadium, Rabat
Morocco vs Algeria – 22:00 CET – Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat
Matchday 3 – Monday, 3 August
Senegal vs Morocco – 22:00 CET – Olympic Stadium, Rabat
Kenya vs Algeria – 22:00 CET – Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat
Group B
South Africa
Côte d’Ivoire
Burkina Faso
Tanzania
Matchday 1 – Monday, 27 July
South Africa vs Tanzania – 19:00 CET – Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca
Côte d’Ivoire vs Burkina Faso – 22:00 CET – Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca
Matchday 2 – Friday, 31 July
Burkina Faso vs Tanzania – 19:00 CET – Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca
South Africa vs Côte d’Ivoire – 22:00 CET – Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca
Matchday 3 – Tuesday, 4 August
Burkina Faso vs South Africa – 22:00 CET – Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca
Tanzania vs Côte d’Ivoire – 22:00 CET – Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca
Group C
Nigeria
Zambia
Egypt
Malawi
Matchday 1 – Tuesday, 28 July
Zambia vs Egypt – 19:00 CET – Olympic Stadium, Rabat
Nigeria vs Malawi – 22:00 CET – Al Madina Stadium, Rabat
Matchday 2 – Saturday, 1 August
Egypt vs Malawi – 19:00 CET – Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat
Nigeria vs Zambia – 22:00 CET – Al Madina Stadium, Rabat
Matchday 3 – Wednesday, 5 August
Malawi vs Zambia – 22:00 CET – Al Madina Stadium, Rabat
Nigeria vs Egypt – 22:00 CET – Olympic Stadium, Rabat
Group D
Ghana
Cameroon
Mali
Cabo Verde
Matchday 1 – Wednesday, 29 July
Ghana vs Cape Verde – 19:00 CET – Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca
Cameroon vs Mali – 22:00 CET – Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca
Matchday 2 – Sunday, 2 August
Ghana vs Cameroon – 19:00 CET – Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca
Mali vs Cape Verde – 22:00 CET – Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca
Matchday 3 – Thursday, 6 August
Ghana vs Mali – 22:00 CET – Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca
Cameroon vs Cape Verde – 22:00 CET – Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca
Quarter-finals – Saturday, 8 August
Quarter-final 1 – 22:00 CET
Winner Group A vs Runner-up Group B – Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat
Quarter-final 2 – 19:00 CET
Winner Group B vs Runner-up Group A – Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca
Quarter-finals – Sunday, 9 August
Quarter-final 3 – 22:00 CET
Winner Group C vs Runner-up Group D – Al Medina Stadium, Rabat
Quarter-final 4 – 19:00 CET
Winner Group D vs Runner-up Group C – Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca
FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 Qualifying Play-offs – Thursday, 13 August
(Between the four losing quarter-finalists; winners qualify for the inter-confederation play-offs.)
WC Play-off 1 – 22:00 CET
Loser Quarter-final 2 vs Loser Quarter-final 3 – Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca
WC Play-off 2 – 19:00 CET
Loser Quarter-final 1 vs Loser Quarter-final 4 – Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca
Semi-finals – Wednesday, 12 August
Semi-final 1 – 22:00 CET
Winner Quarter-final 1 vs Winner Quarter-final 4 – Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat
Semi-final 2 – 19:00 CET
Winner Quarter-final 2 vs Winner Quarter-final 3 – Rabat Olympic Stadium, Rabat
Third-place Match – Saturday, 15 August
Third-place Play-off – 19:00 CET
Loser Semi-final 1 vs Loser Semi-final 2 – Rabat Olympic Stadium, Rabat
Final – Sunday, 16 August
Final – 21:00 CET
Winner Semi-final 1 vs Winner Semi-final 2 – Olympic Stadium, Rabat
