Overview of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations
The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is currently underway in Morocco, featuring a remarkable lineup of 16 teams competing not only for the prestigious tournament title but also for a coveted spot in the 2027 Women’s World Cup. This edition marks a significant increase in participation, with the number of competing nations rising from 12 in the previous tournament to 16 this year. The Nigerian women's national football team, renowned for their dominance, holds the record with ten titles and enters the competition as the defending champions, making them the team to watch closely.
Since its inception in 1998, WAFCON has witnessed 13 tournaments, with Nigeria being the most decorated team, alongside Equatorial Guinea, which has won the championship twice, and South Africa, which has claimed the title once. Notably, Equatorial Guinea did not qualify for this year's tournament, while South Africa has emerged as the top seed in Group B, where they will contend against Tanzania, the Ivory Coast, and Burkina Faso. Morocco, having previously been runners-up in the last two finals, is set to face Algeria, Senegal, and Kenya in Group A.
Complete Fixtures for the 2026 WAFCON
Fans and enthusiasts of women's football can look forward to an exciting lineup of matches. Below are the full fixtures for the 2026 WAFCON:
| Stage / Group | Date | Matchup | Time (GMT) | Venue / Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group A | July 26 | Algeria vs Senegal | 17:00 | Rabat |
| Morocco vs Kenya | 20:00 | |||
| July 30 | Senegal vs Kenya | 17:00 | ||
| Morocco vs Algeria | 20:00 | |||
| August 3 | Senegal vs Morocco | 20:00 | ||
| Kenya vs Algeria | 20:00 | |||
| Group B | July 27 | South Africa vs Tanzania | 17:00 | Casablanca |
| Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso | 20:00 | |||
| July 31 | South Africa vs Ivory Coast | 17:00 | ||
| Burkina Faso vs Tanzania | 20:00 | |||
| August 4 | Burkina Faso vs South Africa | 20:00 | ||
| Tanzania vs Ivory Coast | 20:00 | |||
| Group C | July 28 | Zambia vs Egypt | 17:00 | Rabat |
| Nigeria vs Malawi | 20:00 | |||
| August 1 | Egypt vs Malawi | 17:00 | ||
| Nigeria vs Zambia | 20:00 | |||
| August 5 | Egypt vs Nigeria | 20:00 | ||
| Malawi vs Zambia | 20:00 | |||
| Group D | July 29 | Ghana vs Cape Verde | 17:00 | Casablanca |
| Cameroon vs Mali | 20:00 | |||
| August 2 | Ghana vs Cameroon | 17:00 | ||
| Mali vs Cape Verde | 20:00 | |||
| August 6 | Mali vs Ghana | 20:00 | ||
| Cape Verde vs Cameroon | 20:00 | |||
| Quarter-finals | August 8 | Winners Gr B vs Runners-up Gr A (QF2) | 17:00 | Casablanca |
| Winners Gr A vs Runners-up Gr B (QF1) | 20:00 | Rabat | ||
| August 9 | Winners Gr D vs Runners-up Gr C (QF4) | 17:00 | Casablanca | |
| Winners Gr C vs Runners-up Gr D (QF3) | 20:00 | Rabat | ||
| Play-offs | August 13 | Losers QF2 vs Losers QF3 | 17:00 | Casablanca |
| Losers QF1 vs Losers QF4 | 20:00 | |||
| Semi-finals | August 12 | Winners QF1 vs Winners QF4 | 17:00 | Rabat |
| Winners QF2 vs Winners QF3 | 20:00 | |||
| 3rd Place | August 15 | Semi-finals Losers | 17:00 | Rabat |
| Final | August 16 | Semi-finals Winners | 19:00 | Rabat |
In addition to the fixtures, it’s important to recognize the historical context of this tournament. The past winners of WAFCON highlight Nigeria’s long-standing supremacy in women's football on the continent. The complete list of champions since the tournament's inception showcases Nigeria's dominance, as they have won the title an impressive ten times, with other nations like Equatorial Guinea and South Africa having tasted success only sporadically. This year’s tournament promises to deliver thrilling encounters and showcase the growing talent in women’s football across Africa.
As reported by channelstv.com.
