The WAFCON 2026 draw has confirmed the groups, teams, and host venues for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, marking a historic moment for African women’s football. The tournament will be staged in Morocco from 17 March to 3 April 2026, bringing together the continent’s top national sides in an expanded and more competitive format.
This edition of WAFCON 2026 stands out because it will feature 16 teams for the first time, an increase from the previous 12-team format. As a result, fans can expect more matches, deeper competition, and broader continental representation. The expansion also reflects the rapid growth of women’s football across Africa, both in performance and popularity.
Beyond continental glory, WAFCON 2026 carries global significance. Teams are not only competing for the African title but also for qualification places at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Therefore, every group match will have high stakes, adding intensity from the opening whistle.
Nigeria enter the tournament as defending champions after lifting the title in the previous edition. Once again, they arrive as one of the favourites, although several emerging teams have closed the gap in recent years. Meanwhile, host nation Morocco will look to use home support and familiarity with conditions to push for a deep run in the competition.
The official draw ceremony took place at the Mohamed VI Football Complex near Rabat and was conducted by the Confederation of African Football, assisted by former Kenya international Beldine Odemba and Morocco goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi. Teams were seeded into four pots based on the FIFA Women’s World Rankings released in December 2025, ensuring a balanced and competitive group stage.
Morocco were automatically placed in Group A as hosts, while defending champions Nigeria were seeded at the top of Group C. The group stage will be spread across three major Moroccan cities, highlighting the country’s strong football infrastructure and continued commitment to hosting major continental events.
Group A and Group B matches will be played in Rabat, placing the capital city at the heart of the tournament. Casablanca will host Group C fixtures, while Group D games will take place in Fes. The Confederation of African Football is expected to announce the full match schedule and kick-off times in the coming weeks.
Several nations will be making headlines at WAFCON 2026. Cabo Verde and Malawi will appear at the tournament for the first time, a significant milestone for both countries. In contrast, Botswana, DR Congo, and Tunisia, who featured in the previous edition, did not qualify this time, underlining the increasingly competitive nature of African women’s football.
Qualification for the World Cup adds another layer of pressure. The four semi-finalists will secure automatic tickets to Brazil 2027, while the losing quarter-finalists will contest playoff matches to determine Africa’s representatives in the inter-confederation playoffs. Consequently, reaching the knockout rounds will be crucial for every team involved.
WAFCON 2026 Groups
Group A
Morocco
Algeria
Senegal
Kenya
Group B
South Africa
Côte d’Ivoire
Burkina Faso
Tanzania
Group C
Nigeria
Zambia
Egypt
Malawi
Group D
Ghana
Cameroon
Mali
Cabo Verde
As WAFCON 2026 approaches, anticipation continues to build across the continent. With new teams, expanded slots, and World Cup qualification on the line, the tournament promises drama, quality football, and memorable moments that could redefine the future of women’s football in Africa.
