Group B action at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) kicks off with an all-West African derby as Ivory Coast face Burkina Faso on Monday, July 27, 2026 (20:00 GMT) at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco.

Both sides enter Casablanca determined to lay down an early marker in a demanding group that features defending champions South Africa and an ambitious Tanzanian setup. 

With direct qualification tickets to the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil on the line for all four semi-finalists, every inch of space in Casablanca will be fiercely contested.

Striver.Football highlights the six key players poised to dictate this opening fixture:

Three Ivory Coast Players To Watch

Rebecca Elloh: The Primary Finishing Threat

Tactical Profile: Elloh is the primary finishing catalyst for the Ivorian attack. Possessing exceptional upper-body strength and physical hold-up capability, she excels at pinning central defenders, receiving long clearances, and generating high-value shooting opportunities inside the 18-yard box. 

She also has this innate ability to beat defenders in 1v1 situations, and her ability to operate in tight spaces gives Ivory Coast a reliable release valve when under pressure.

Ange N'Guessan: The Wide Isolation Wizard

Tactical Profile: Operating off the flank, N'Guessan brings explosive micro-dribbling and low-center-of-gravity carrying power. 

She thrives in isolated 1v1 situations, using sharp changes of pace to cut inside onto her stronger foot. 
Her sharp line-breaking passes and cross deliveries into Zone 14 provide the team's primary path to unbalancing compact low blocks.

Fatou Coulibaly: The Defensive Anchor & Leader

Tactical Profile: Serving as the veteran heartbeat of the backline, Coulibaly provides crucial positional discipline, aerial superiority, and defensive leadership. 

Her primary assignment in Casablanca will be reading opposition transition launches early, organising her full-backs during defensive rest phases, and shutting down direct vertical channels.

Three Burkina Faso Players To Watch

Charlotte Millogo: The Defensive Pillar

Tactical Profile: Millogo is the organisational backbone of Burkina Faso's defence. She excels in ground duels, slide-tackling timing, and spatial communication. 

Her interceptive awareness will be crucial to cutting off through-balls aimed at Elloh and containing Ivory Coast's direct central surges.

Adama Congo: The Versatile Attacker

Tactical Profile: Adama Congo is a versatile player capable of playing as a forward, a wide midfielder and even a central midfielder. 
Congo uses solo runs and steady finishing to break lines and score crucial goals, and possesses an engine that allows her to drops back to help form a compact defensive shape when out of possession.

Rasmata Sawadogo: The Transition Spearhead

Tactical Profile: Sawadogo provides the Stallions with raw acceleration and line-breaking runs. She operates off the shoulder of the last defender, capitalising on quick turnovers to launch rapid counter-attacks into open channels behind high defensive lines.

Three Key Tactical Battles That Could Decide The Match

Ange N'Guessan vs. Charlotte Millogo: N'Guessan's 1v1 dribbling down the channel will test Millogo's spatial positioning and tackling discipline. If Millogo holds her ground, Burkina Faso can restrict Ivory Coast's primary path into the penalty area.

The Midfield Transition Duel: Adama Congo versatility could give Burkina Faso the luxury to change tactics in-game depending on the state of the play.

Exploiting Rest Defense: Ivory Coast's tendency to push full-backs high leaves open space in wide areas. Rasmata Sawadogo's speed on the counter represents Burkina Faso's cleanest opportunity to catch the Ivorian backline exposed in transition.