Women’s football in Africa takes center stage once again as the 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) gets underway in Morocco. The tournament brings together the continent’s best national teams in what promises to be the most competitive edition yet.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons arrive as defending champions after winning their historic 10th continental title in 2025. Now they have another opportunity to extend their dominance, claim a record 11th WAFCON crown, and secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
With more teams, record prize money, World Cup qualification at stake and several world-class players on display, WAFCON 2026 is expected to produce three weeks of exciting football. Whether you are following the Super Falcons or simply want to keep up with the tournament, this guide contains everything you need to know.
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About WAFCON 2026
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is Africa’s premier international women’s football competition, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Since its inception, the tournament has helped develop women’s football across the continent while producing some of the world’s finest players.
The 2026 edition runs from July 26 to August 16, 2026, with Morocco hosting the tournament for the third consecutive time. Sixteen national teams will compete over 34 matches for continental glory, a record first prize of $2 million, and qualification places for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Tournament Overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Host Country | Morocco |
| Dates | July 26 to August 16, 2026 |
| Teams | 16 |
| Matches | 34 |
| Champion’s Prize | $2,000,000 |
| Defending Champions | Nigeria |
This year’s competition is the largest in WAFCON history after CAF expanded the tournament from 12 to 16 teams. The change allows more countries to compete while increasing the quality and competitiveness of the championship.
Host Cities and Venues
Matches are being played in Morocco across stadiums in Rabat and Casablanca. The venues include the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat Olympic Stadium, Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Larbi Zaouli Stadium and Al Madina Stadium. The final is scheduled to take place on August 16.
Tournament Format
The competition begins with a group stage featuring four groups of four teams. Every team plays three matches.
The top two teams from each group qualify for the quarterfinals before the tournament moves into a straight knockout format consisting of the quarterfinals, semifinals, third-place playoff and final.
| Stage | Dates |
|---|---|
| Group Stage | July 26 to August 6 |
| Quarterfinals | August 8 to 9 |
| Semifinals | August 12 |
| Third-place Match | August 15 |
| Final | August 16 |
WAFCON 2026 Groups
The group stage has produced several exciting matchups, with Nigeria drawn alongside Zambia, Egypt and Malawi in Group C.
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Group C is widely regarded as one of the toughest groups in the tournament. Zambia’s attacking duo of Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji make them one of Nigeria’s biggest obstacles on the road to the knockout stage, while Egypt and Malawi will be aiming to upset the established order.
Nigeria’s Group Stage Fixtures
The Super Falcons begin their title defense against Malawi before facing Zambia and Egypt in what could prove decisive matches for top spot in Group C.
| Date | Match | Kickoff (GMT) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, July 28 | Nigeria vs Malawi | 8:00 PM |
| Saturday, August 1 | Nigeria vs Zambia | 8:00 PM |
| Wednesday, August 5 | Nigeria vs Egypt | 8:00 PM |
Nigeria will hope to start with a convincing victory over Malawi before meeting Zambia in what many consider the biggest game in the group. The final group match against Egypt could determine the group’s final standings if qualification remains undecided.
Five Teams to Watch
Although Nigeria begins the tournament as one of the favorites, several other nations have the quality to challenge for the title.
| Team | Why They Matter |
|---|---|
| Nigeria | Defending champions chasing a record 11th title. |
| Morocco | Hosts with strong home support after reaching the last two finals. |
| South Africa | 2022 champions with an experienced squad. |
| Zambia | One of Africa’s most exciting attacking teams led by Barbra Banda. |
| Ghana | A talented squad capable of making a deep run. |
With world-class talent, higher financial rewards and World Cup qualification on the line, WAFCON 2026 promises to be one of the most memorable tournaments in the history of African women’s football. For Nigeria, every match represents another step toward extending an unmatched legacy on the continent.
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