The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) will kick off in Morocco from Sunday, 26 July to Sunday, 16 August 2026.
Following a postponement by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) from its initial March timeline, the continent's flagship women's tournament returns with a historic, newly expanded 16-team format.
With continental supremacy, a record financial prize pot, and direct qualification berths for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil on the line, this 14th edition is set to be the most competitive iteration in African football history.
Striver.Football brings you everything you need to know ahead of the competition.
How WAFCON 2026 Qualifies Teams For The FIFA Women's World Cup 2027
WAFCON 2026 serves as the official African qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil. Africa has been allocated up to six potential slots. All four eventual semi-finalists will automatically lock in their tickets to Brazil 2027.
The four losing quarter-finalists will compete in a play-off bracket to secure two spots in the global FIFA Inter-Confederation Play-Off Tournament, which will make room for potentially two-more slots.
WAFCON 2026 Prize Money Explained
CAF has introduced the largest financial package in WAFCON history, boosting total funding by 67% to $5.8 million (£4.3m). Under the current CAF executive leadership, champions' prize money has doubled to $2m (£1.5m).
The prize money of the Runner-up has been increased by 50% to $750,000 (£563,013) and the prize money of the 3rd Position has been increased by 43%.
Each of the 16 participating Women's National Teams will receive $150,000 (£112,603) in participation funding, an increase of $25,000 (20%) from the $125,000 (£93,843) received in the previous edition.
WAFCON 2026 Groups
The expansion from 12 to 16 teams introduces four groups of four nations. The top two teams from each group advance directly to the quarter-finals.
Group A : Morocco (Hosts), Algeria, Senegal, Kenya
Group B: South Africa, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Tanzania
Group C: Nigeria (Holders), Zambia, Egypt, Malawi (Debut)
Group D: Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, Cape Verde (Debut)
WAFCON 2026 Host Cities And Stadiums
CAF streamlined the tournament footprint to two major coastal hubs—Rabat and Casablanca—to optimize travel logistics and team recovery. Matches initially planned for Fes were shifted to Casablanca to centralize operations.
Rabat
Moulay Hassan Stadium (Capacity: 22,000) – Home base for host nation Morocco in Group A.
Olympic Stadium (Capacity: 21,000)
Al Medina Stadium (Capacity: 18,000)
Casablanca
Larbi Zaouli Stadium (Capacity: 20,000)
Moulay Rachid Stadium (Capacity: 25,000)
Note: The grand final on 16 August will take place at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat.
Who Are The Favourites To Win WAFCON 2026?
Nigeria (Super Falcons): The defending 10-time continental champions remain the gold standard. Anchored by world-class goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and creative powerhouse Rasheedat Ajibade, Nigeria enter as title favorites.
Morocco (Atlas Lionesses): Guided by former World Cup-winning manager Jorge Vilda, the hosts aim to capture gold after finishing as runners-up in the previous edition. Veteran playmaker Ghizlaine Chebbak leads their attack.
South Africa (Banyana Banyana): The 2022 champions bring proven tournament pedigree and elite tactical structure to Group B.
Zambia (Copper Queens): Boasting one of world football's deadliest attacking duos in Barbra Banda and NWSL star Racheal Kundananji.
Which Teams Are Making Their WAFCON Debut?
Malawi (The Scorchers): Making their tournament debut, led by top-tier goalscorer Tabitha Chawinga (Olympique Lyonnais) and her sister Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current).
Kenya (Harambee Starlets): Returning to WAFCON for the first time in ten years, having sharpened their squad during an elite pre-tournament training camp in France, as well as taken part in very beneficial build up games, such as the FIFA series in May where they got to face Australia’s Matildas.
Cape Verde: Appearing at their first WAFCON, hoping to mirror the underdog success of their men's national team.
WAFCON 2026 Schedule (All Times GMT)
Opening Matchday (Sunday, 26 July):
Algeria vs. Senegal — 17:00 HRS (Olympic Stadium, Rabat)
Morocco vs. Kenya — 20:00 HRS (Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat)
Group Stage Duration: 26 July – 6 August
Quarter-Finals: 8 – 9 August
Semi-Finals: 12 August
The Grand Final: Sunday, 16 August — 18:00 HRS
