The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Morocco on Sunday (today), with 16 teams battling for continental glory and qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The opening match will see Algeria face Senegal at the Rabat Olympic Stadium, while hosts Morocco take on Kenya later in the day.
Here are the key things to know ahead of the tournament:
Algeria, Senegal open the tournament
Algeria and Senegal will meet for the first time in WAFCON history in Sunday’s opening fixture.
While their men’s teams have a long-standing rivalry, including the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations final won 1-0 by Algeria, the women’s sides have never faced each other at the tournament.
Tournament doubles as World Cup qualifier
The competition also serves as Africa’s qualification tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The four semi-finalists will automatically qualify for the World Cup, while the four losing quarter-finalists will contest two intercontinental play-off spots.
Nigeria begin title defence on Tuesday
Defending champions Nigeria will open their Group C campaign against Malawi on Tuesday.
The Super Falcons, chasing a record-extending 11th WAFCON title, are grouped with Zambia, Egypt and tournament debutants Malawi.
Sixteen teams compete in four groups
The expanded 16-team tournament features four groups of four teams.
- 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 advance to the quarter-finals.
Morocco hosts again
Morocco is staging the tournament for the third consecutive time after hosting the previous two editions.
Matches will be played across five stadiums in Rabat and Casablanca, with the final scheduled for August 16.
Nigeria among title favourites
Nigeria begin the tournament as defending champions and Africa’s highest-ranked women’s team.
The Super Falcons are seeking an 11th continental crown after defeating hosts Morocco in last year’s final.
Other leading contenders include hosts Morocco, 2022 champions South Africa and Zambia, led by BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year 2024, Barbra Banda.
Full WAFCON 2026 fixture
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
Final
- August 16 – 7:00pm GMT (Rabat)
Tournament concludes on August 16
The 34-match tournament will end with the final on Sunday, August 16, when Africa’s new champions will be crowned and four teams will have secured qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
