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Rabat—The Royal Moroccan Federation has announced that Morocco’s women’s national team will face Cape Verde this Saturday, March 7, at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat at 10 p.m. local time. This will be their third friendly match as they prepare for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), giving coach Jorge Vilda a chance to prepare his squad ahead of the tournament.
The Atlas Lionesses have already played two friendlies against Burkina Faso, winning the first 5–0 before being held to a 1–1 draw in the second. These games allowed the staff to test different lineups, try new tactics, and give younger players experience.
An open training session has also been scheduled ahead of the Cape Verde match, with media access to the first 15 minutes, which is good as the attention around the team grows with the competition approaching.
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WAFCON 2026 rescheduled
Today, CAF confirmed that the WAFCON 2026 will no longer take place in March. Morocco, originally set to host the tournament from March 17 to April 3, will now welcome the competition from July 25 to August 16. CAF cited unforeseen circumstances and the need to ensure the tournament’s success as reasons for the change. FIFA and other partners were involved in the discussions, and Morocco remains the confirmed host. Preparations for the event are ongoing, and all parties are confident it will be delivered successfully. For the first time, the tournament will feature 16 teams.
Despite the rescheduling, the Moroccan squad remains focused on its preparation. Friendly matches like the one against Cape Verde help the team sharpen its match rhythm and maintain competitive intensity.
The Atlas Lionesses have plenty of motivation heading into WAFCON 2026. In the last edition, Morocco reached the final but fell to Nigeria. With the tournament now moved to summer, the team has extra time to train and strengthen its chances of going one step further on home soil.
Morocco, as hosts, are in Group A alongside Algeria, Senegal, and Kenya. Other groups include powerhouse teams such as Nigeria (Group C), South Africa (Group B), and Ghana (Group D). Notably, Malawi and Cape Verde will make their debut appearances in the competition.
Matches will be held across Rabat (Moulay El Hassan and Al Medina stadiums), Casablanca (Stade Larbi Zaouli), and Fez (Grand Stade de Fès). Beyond continental glory, the stakes are high: the four semifinalists will qualify directly for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in Brazil.
