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Rabat – Morocco women’s national team head coach Jorge Vilda says his players are determined to make the nation proud as they prepare to begin their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign on home soil.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Vilda dismissed suggestions that the recent achievements of Morocco’s men’s national team have placed additional pressure on his squad, insisting they instead serve as a source of inspiration.
“We don’t see that as pressure. Instead, it gives us hope,” Vilda said.
“Now it is our turn to show our potential. The players have one goal: to make the Moroccan people happy.”
Morocco enters the tournament carrying growing expectations after reaching the finals of the previous two WAFCON editions, both hosted on home soil. The Atlas Lionesses finished runners-up to South Africa in 2022 before once again falling at the final hurdle against Nigeria in 2024.
Despite those near misses, Villda believes the team has continued to develop and is ready to compete for its first continental title.
The Spanish coach, who took charge of Morocco after leading Spain to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup title, has repeatedly emphasized his ambition to help the Atlas Lionesses reach new heights while building on the progress made by women’s football in the country.
Morocco will kick off its WAFCON 2026 campaign against Kenya on July 26 before facing Algeria and Senegal in Group A.
Hosting the tournament for a third consecutive edition, the Atlas Lionesses will once again have the backing of home supporters as they attempt to end years of heartbreak and lift the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations trophy for the first time.
For Vilda, however, the objective extends beyond silverware.
His priority, he says, is to reward Moroccan fans with performances worthy of the belief and support they have shown the team.
