While Nigeria enters the tournament as the defending champions, winning the title will not be straightforward. Women’s football has grown rapidly across Africa over the last decade, with several countries investing heavily in player development, coaching and professional leagues. Improved infrastructure, better youth academies and increased international exposure have helped many national teams close the gap on the continent’s traditional powerhouses.
South Africa, Morocco and Zambia are widely regarded as Nigeria’s biggest challengers, while Ghana, Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire have the quality and experience to surprise many observers. South Africa will be eager to build on the confidence gained from winning the 2022 title, while host nation Morocco will look to use home support to inspire another deep run in the tournament. Zambia’s exciting attacking style and talented squad have also made them one of the teams to watch.
Beyond the leading contenders, several emerging nations are determined to make their mark. Teams such as Algeria, Senegal, Mali and Tanzania have shown steady improvement in recent years and will be aiming to reach the knockout stage. Their progress reflects the growing competitiveness of women’s football across Africa, where the difference between established teams and rising nations continues to narrow.
For Nigeria, consistency will be the key to another successful campaign. The Super Falcons have the experience and pedigree to challenge for an 11th WAFCON title, but every match will require focus, discipline and clinical finishing. Every point earned during the group stage could prove crucial in determining the path to the final, making WAFCON 2026 one of the most competitive and unpredictable editions in the tournament’s history.
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| Team | Previous Best | Why They Are Contenders |
|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | 10 Titles | Africa’s most successful women’s football nation with unmatched tournament experience. |
| South Africa | Champions (2022) | Technically gifted squad with a strong winning mentality. |
| Morocco | Runner-up | Home support and consistent improvement in recent years. |
| Zambia | Third Place | One of Africa’s most dangerous attacking teams. |
| Ghana | Runner-up | Experienced squad capable of upsetting top teams. |
Nigeria remains the team to beat, but the gap between the continent’s top nations has narrowed considerably. Every knockout match is expected to be fiercely contested.
How Teams Qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup
WAFCON 2026 serves as Africa’s qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The stakes go beyond continental glory. The four semifinalists will qualify automatically for the World Cup, while the teams eliminated in the quarterfinals will compete for two places in the FIFA Intercontinental Playoffs.
| Finish | Reward |
|---|---|
| Reach Semi-finals | Automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup |
| Lose Quarter-finals | Play-off matches for Intercontinental Playoff places |
| Group Stage Exit | Eliminated |
For many nations, simply reaching the semifinals would represent one of the greatest achievements in their football history.
WAFCON 2026 Prize Money
CAF has significantly increased financial rewards for women’s football. The total prize fund has risen to $5.8 million, making this the richest Women’s Africa Cup of Nations ever staged.
| Position | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| Champion | $2,000,000 |
| Runner-up | $750,000 |
| Third Place | $500,000 |
| Fourth Place | $350,000 |
| Quarter-finalists | $200,000 each |
| Group Stage Teams | $150,000 each |
The increase reflects CAF’s commitment to developing women’s football and providing greater financial incentives for participating nations.
WAFCON Winners Since 1998
Only three countries have won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations since the tournament adopted its current format.
| Country | Titles |
|---|---|
| Nigeria | 10 |
| Equatorial Guinea | 2 |
| South Africa | 1 |
Nigeria’s dominance remains unmatched, with the Super Falcons winning more than three-quarters of all WAFCON tournaments played.
Recent WAFCON Champions
| Year | Champion | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Nigeria | Morocco |
| 2022 | South Africa | Morocco |
| 2018 | Nigeria | South Africa |
| 2016 | Nigeria | Cameroon |
South Africa broke Nigeria’s dominance by winning the 2022 edition, but the Super Falcons reclaimed the trophy in 2025 and now aim to defend it successfully in Morocco.
Five Players Who Could Define WAFCON 2026
| Player | Country | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Rasheedat Ajibade | Nigeria | Forward |
| Barbra Banda | Zambia | Forward |
| Racheal Kundananji | Zambia | Forward |
| Ghizlane Chebbak | Morocco | Midfielder |
| Thembi Kgatlana | South Africa | Forward |
These stars are expected to influence the title race with their leadership, creativity and goals. Fans can expect several memorable performances as the tournament progresses.
Nigeria enters WAFCON 2026 with the confidence of a team that knows how to win on the biggest stage in African women’s football. The Super Falcons have built a reputation for performing under pressure, combining experienced leaders with a new generation of talented players. Their ability to adapt during matches and capitalize on scoring opportunities has made them the benchmark for other African nations.
South Africa will once again be among the strongest challengers after lifting the trophy in 2022. Morocco, backed by passionate home support and continued investment in women’s football, also has realistic ambitions of reaching another final. Zambia’s attacking quality makes them one of the most exciting teams in the tournament, while Ghana, Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire have enough experience to upset any opponent in the knockout rounds.
