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Rabat – The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is set to bring together the continent’s best national teams for another historic edition, with Morocco hosting Africa’s flagship women’s football tournament for a record third consecutive time.
Originally scheduled to feature 12 teams, the competition has been expanded to 16 nations, marking the largest edition in the tournament’s history. Beyond continental glory, WAFCON 2026 also served as Africa’s qualification pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, raising the stakes for every participating nation.
When is WAFCON 2026?
The tournament will take place from July 25 to August 16, 2026, after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) postponed the original schedule earlier this year.
The competition will run for just over three weeks, culminating in the final on August 16.
Morocco making history
Morocco will become the first nation ever to host three consecutive editions of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, having previously staged the tournament in 2022 and 2024.
The North African nation was officially confirmed as host in October 2024 despite speculation earlier this year that South Africa could replace Morocco. The speculation came amid reports that suggested the hosts had withdrawn. CAF President Patrice Motsepe later reaffirmed Morocco’s hosting rights, bringing an end to the uncertainty.
The country has rapidly established itself as one of African football’s major hubs, having also hosted the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and several continental club competitions.
The tournament’s expansion
For the first time, WAFCON will feature 16 national teams instead of 12. CAF confirmed the expansion after qualification had already concluded, allowing four additional teams to qualify based on the FIFA Women’s World Ranking among the highest-ranked nations eliminated in the final qualifying round.
The larger format allows more countries to compete on Africa’s biggest stage while reflecting the continued growth of women’s football across the continent.
World Cup qualification at stake
WAFCON 2026 is more than a continental championship; the tournament will determine Africa’s representatives for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The top four teams will qualify automatically, while two additional nations will advance to the inter-confederation playoffs, offering another route to the World Cup.
Where will matches be played?
The tournament will be staged in Rabat and Casablanca. While Fes had initially been announced among the host cities during the draw, CAF’s final fixture schedule allocated matches only to stadiums in Rabat and Casablanca.
Morocco’s modern football infrastructure, recently showcased during major CAF competitions, is expected to provide another high-profile stage for African women’s football.
Nigeria arrive as defending champions
Nigeria returns to Morocco looking to defend the title they dramatically won in 2024.
The Super Falcons produced one of the greatest comebacks in WAFCON history, overturning a two-goal deficit to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final in Rabat.
That victory further cemented Nigeria’s status as the most successful team in African women’s football history.
Players to watch
Ghizlane Chebbak (Morocco)
Morocco captain Ghizlane Chebbak once again enters WAFCON as one of the tournament’s biggest stars and one of the Atlas Lionesses’ most influential players.
The attacking midfielder finished as the top scorer at WAFCON 2024 with five goals, securing the Golden Boot for the second consecutive tournament while leading Morocco to the final on home soil.
Chebbak’s remarkable rise reached another milestone in December 2025 when she was crowned CAF Women’s African Player of the Year, becoming the first Moroccan woman ever to win the prestigious award.
Renowned for her vision, technical quality, leadership, and eye for goal, Chebbak remains the creative heartbeat of Jorge Vilda’s side. With Morocco once again hosting the tournament, the captain will be expected to lead both on and off the pitch as the Atlas Lionesses chase a first-ever WAFCON title.
Esther Okoronkwo (Nigeria)
Nigeria’s biggest attacking weapon returns after a sensational 2024 campaign. The AFC Toronto winger finished the previous tournament with 2goals, 6 assists, and 3 Woman of the Match awards.
Her influence was never greater than in the final, where her converted penalty sparked Nigeria’s comeback against Morocco.
Comfortable playing across the front line, Okoronkwo combines pace, creativity and clinical finishing, making her one of the tournament’s biggest stars.
Habibou Ouedraogo (Côte d’Ivoire)
Habibou Ouedraogo arrives at WAFCON 2026 as Côte d’Ivoire’s biggest attacking threat and one of Africa’s most exciting emerging forwards.
The ASEC Mimosas striker was named Best Player of the 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League after another prolific season that saw her score 39 league goals, having netted 33 the year before.
With Côte d’Ivoire returning to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 2014, ending a 12-year absence, Ouedraogo will be central to the Elephants’ hopes of making an impact on their long-awaited return to the continental stage.
Morocco chasing history on home soil
After reaching the final in 2024, Morocco will once again carry the hopes of home supporters.
The Atlas Lionnesses have rapidly emerged among Africa’s elite, backed by sustained investment in women’s football and one of the continent’s strongest development structures.
Hosting another edition presents an opportunity to finally list the trophy on home soil.
A tournament reflecting women’s football’s rapid growth
The expansion to 16 teams, increasing competitiveness across qualification, growing investment from national federations and higher global visibility all underline the remarkable progress of African women’s football.
With continental pride, World Cup qualification and history all on the line, WAFCON 2026 promises to be the biggest edition the tournament has ever seen.
