Super Falcons aim to defend title as WAFCON kicks off July 26

The TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 is set to make history in 30 days. This year, the tournament will grow from 12 to 16 teams for the first time.

The competition starts on 26 July in Rabat. Hosts Morocco will face Kenya at Moulay El Hassan Stadium at 21:00 local time (20:00 GMT).

Earlier that day, Algeria will play Senegal in another Group A match at Rabat’s Olympic Stadium.

CAF stated, “Morocco 2026 will mark a significant milestone in the history of the Competition, with the final tournament expanding from 12 to 16 participating nations for the first time.”

CAF also added, “The expansion forms part of CAF’s broader women’s football strategy to strengthen the women’s game through increased participation opportunities, enhanced competition structures and greater investment in football development across the continent.”

Now in its 14th edition, this tournament arrives with more investment in women’s football across Africa.

CAF noted, “CAF has made significant progress in growing and developing women’s football.” They mentioned that over the last five years, the prize money for winners has jumped from USD 150,000 to USD 1 million under CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe.

The 16 nations heading to Morocco 2026 include hosts Morocco, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, defending champions Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia.

Matches will take place in Rabat and Casablanca at five CAF-approved venues. These are Stade Moulay El Hassan, Stade Al Madina, and Stade Olympique in Rabat, as well as Stade Larbi Zaouli and Stade Moulay Rachid in Casablanca.

Nigeria arrives as defending champions. They won a record-extending 10th continental title at the last tournament. But CAF expects tough competition from the other teams.

CAF said, “The Super Falcons are expected to face strong competition from across the continent, including hosts Morocco, former champions South Africa, traditional powerhouses such as Cameroon, and rising teams like Algeria, Zambia, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire.”

Besides the continental title, teams will also aim to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.

CAF explained, “Adding further significance, this year’s finals will serve as Africa’s qualification tournament for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.”

The four quarter-final winners will automatically qualify for the global event. Meanwhile, the four teams eliminated at that stage can still compete through the FIFA Women’s World Cup play-off pathway.

CAF believes that with ongoing investment and more competitive national teams, the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON Morocco 2026 “is expected to be one of the most closely contested editions in the tournament’s history.”