What to know as WAFCON 2026 begins in Morocco

The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations starts in Morocco today, with 16 teams competing for the title and a spot at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

The opening match will feature Algeria against Senegal at the Rabat Olympic Stadium. Later, Morocco will play against Kenya.

Algeria, Senegal kick off the tournament

This is the first time Algeria and Senegal will meet in WAFCON history during today's opening match.

While the men’s teams have a strong rivalry, including Algeria's 1-0 win in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations final, the women's teams have not played against each other in this tournament before.

Tournament also a World Cup qualifier

This competition also serves as Africa’s way to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

The four teams that reach the semi-finals will qualify for the World Cup. The four teams that lose in the quarter-finals will compete for two intercontinental play-off spots.

Nigeria starts their title defence on Tuesday

Defending champions Nigeria will kick off their Group C matches against Malawi on Tuesday.

The Super Falcons aim for their 11th WAFCON title and are in a group with Zambia, Egypt, and newcomers Malawi.

Sixteen teams in four groups

The tournament has been expanded to 16 teams divided into four groups.

• Group A: Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, Kenya
• Group B: South Africa, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Tanzania
• Group C: Nigeria, Zambia, Egypt, Malawi
• Group D: Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, Cape Verde

The top two teams from each group will move on to the quarter-finals.

Morocco hosts again

This is the third time Morocco is hosting the tournament, having organized the last two editions.

Matches will take place in five stadiums located in Rabat and Casablanca. The final is set for August 16.

Nigeria is a top contender

Nigeria enters the tournament as defending champions and the highest-ranked women's team in Africa.

The Super Falcons are looking for their 11th continental title after beating Morocco in last year's final. Other strong teams include the hosts Morocco, 2022 champions South Africa, and Zambia, led by the 2024 BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year, Barbra Banda.

Complete WAFCON 2026 schedule

Group stage
Sunday, July 26

• Algeria vs Senegal (Group A), 5:00pm GMT
• Morocco vs Kenya (Group A), 8:00pm GMT

Monday, July 27

• South Africa vs Tanzania (Group B), 5:00pm GMT
• Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso (Group B), 8:00pm GMT

Tuesday, July 28

• Zambia vs Egypt (Group C), 5:00pm GMT
• Nigeria vs Malawi (Group C), 8:00pm GMT

Wednesday, July 29

• Ghana vs Cape Verde (Group D), 5:00pm GMT
• Cameroon vs Mali (Group D), 8:00pm GMT

Thursday, July 30

• Senegal vs Kenya (Group A), 5:00pm GMT
• Morocco vs Algeria (Group A), 8:00pm GMT

Friday, July 31

• South Africa vs Ivory Coast (Group B), 5:00pm GMT
• Burkina Faso vs Tanzania (Group B), 8:00pm GMT

Saturday, August 1

• Egypt vs Malawi (Group C), 5:00pm GMT
• Nigeria vs Zambia (Group C), 8:00pm GMT

Sunday, August 2

• Ghana vs Cameroon (Group D), 5:00pm GMT
• Mali vs Cape Verde (Group D), 8:00pm GMT

Monday, August 3

• Senegal vs Morocco (Group A), 8:00pm GMT
• Kenya vs Algeria (Group A), 8:00pm GMT

Tuesday, August 4

• Burkina Faso vs South Africa (Group B), 8:00pm GMT
• Tanzania vs Ivory Coast (Group B), 8:00pm GMT

Wednesday, August 5

• Egypt vs Nigeria (Group C), 8:00pm GMT
• Malawi vs Zambia (Group C), 8:00pm GMT

Thursday, August 6

• Mali vs Ghana (Group D), 8:00pm GMT
• Cape Verde vs Cameroon (Group D), 8:00pm GMT

Quarter-finals

• August 8: Winner Group B vs Runner-up Group A (5:00pm GMT); Winner Group A vs Runner-up Group B (8:00pm GMT)
• August 9: Winner Group D vs Runner-up Group C (5:00pm GMT); Winner Group C vs Runner-up Group D (8:00pm GMT)

2027 Women’s World Cup play-offs

• August 13: Losing quarter-finalists (5:00pm GMT and 8:00pm GMT)

Semi-finals

• August 12: Semi-final 2 (5:00pm GMT); Semi-final 1 (8:00pm GMT)

Third-place match

• August 15, 5:00pm GMT

Final

• August 16, 7:00pm GMT (Rabat)

Tournament wraps up on August 16

The tournament will have 34 matches and will end on Sunday, August 16. Africa’s new champions will be crowned, and four teams will qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.