The long-delayed 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) is finally ready to begin, with Morocco playing in the final for the third time in a row.
Originally scheduled to be held from 17 March to 3 April, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) postponed it 12 days before the start.
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This year’s Wafcon, coming just 12 months late to 2024, now kicks off on Sunday, 26 July with Algeria facing Senegal in the opening match in Rabat (17:00 GMT).
Caf cited “unforeseen circumstances” for the delay, but the late change provided more time for the newly expanded 16-team tournament, which will feature 34 matches and conclude with the final on Sunday, August 16.
This year’s Wafcon is very important because it doubles as a qualifier for the 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup, with all four semi-finalists earning a ticket to Brazil.
The four players who lost in the quarter-finals will play for two places in the intercontinental qualifier.
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So what are the main features? What is the format? Where are the games played and when do they start?
BBC Sport Africa brings you all the information ahead of the 14th edition of Africa’s biggest women’s football event.
What are groups?
The 16 teams are divided into four groups of four.
Morocco, which is the host, will face Algeria, its rivals in Group A, as well as Senegal and Kenya, who are returning 10 years after playing for the first time.
Defending champions Nigeria, seeking a record 11th win after defeating Morocco in last year’s final, are placed in Group C along with Zambia, the top-ranked team in the second draw, Egypt and Malawi for the first time.
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South Africa, who won in 2022, will face Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Tanzania in Group B.
In Group D, Ghana has been drawn with Cameroon and Mali – the two teams that advanced to the finals based on their world rankings – and another newcomer, Cape Verde.
The top two teams from each group advance to the quarter-finals.
Group A: Morocco (hosts), Algeria, Senegal, Kenya.
Group B: South Africa, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Tanzania.
Group C: Nigeria (hosts), Zambia, Egypt, Malawi.
Group D: Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, Cape Verde.
Wafcon 2026 schedule and launch times
Kick-off times will be 17:00 GMT and 20:00 GMT for all competitions – except the final.
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The quarter-finals will be held on 8 and 9 August, with both semi-finals to follow on 12 August.
The final will take place on Sunday, 16 August at 19:00 GMT.
Wafcon 2026 Locations: Where is it being held?
The Moulay Hassan Stadium, which hosted four matches at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, will host Morocco’s group games and could be used for the final. [Getty Images]
Morocco used six stadiums spread over five cities to hold the tournament last year, but this time five stadiums are used in two cities.
The matches will be played in the capital Rabat and Casablanca, Berkane, Mohammedia and Oujda have been decided as venues.
Fes was originally supposed to host Group D, but the games that were supposed to be held at the Complexe Sportif de Fes were changed to Casablanca.
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The three stadiums used in Rabat also played host to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), with the North African country undertaking a number of development projects as it prepares to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The Atlas Lionesses will play their matches at the Moulay Hassan Stadium, which will also have a quarter-final and a semi-final.
The venue for the final is yet to be confirmed. It will be the Moulay Hassan Stadium or the bigger Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, which hosted the Afcon final, which may be chosen if Morocco advances to the finals.
The five confirmed locations are:
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Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat
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Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca
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Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca
Who are the favorites?
Of the 16 participating countries, only Nigeria and South Africa have lifted the Wafcon title.
I The Super Falcons they returned to North Africa as managers and the continent’s top-ranked team, with a rich pedigree under local coach Justin Madugu.
Chiamaka Nnadozie was selected as the best goalkeeper in Africa three years ago and captain Rasheedat Ajibade was selected as the most important player in the finals last July.
Morocco has invested a lot in football infrastructure over the years but the women’s team is yet to emulate the success of the country’s men in becoming the best team in Africa.
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The Atlas Lionesses have finished second in the last two editions and have a Women’s World Cup winner in place in the form of Jorge Vilda, who guides Spain to the title in 2023.
South Africa, ranked second in the continent, Desiree Ellis experienced in the dugout this season Ghana, under Kim Bjorkegren, they just finished third last July.
Zambia have gathered players who are likely to catch it, even though the Copper Queens were beaten 5-0 by Nigeria in the quarter-finals last year. They will look to captain Barbra Banda, the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year 2024, for inspiration.
It will be a big ask for any of the other sides to mount a serious challenge.
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2026 Africa Cup of Nations group matches
All start times are GMT.
Sunday, July 26th
Group A: Algeria v Senegal, Olympic Stadium, Rabat, (17:00 GMT)
Group A: Morocco v Kenya, Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat, (20:00 GMT)
Monday, July 27th
Group B: South Africa v Tanzania, Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca, (17:00 GMT)
Group B: Ivory Coast v Burkina Faso, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca, (20:00 GMT)
Tuesday, July 28th
Group C: Zambia v Egypt, Olympic Stadium, (17:00 GMT)
Group C: Nigeria v Malawi, Al Medina Stadium, Rabat, (20:00 GMT)
Wednesday, July 29th
Group D: Ghana v Cape Verde, Moulay Rachid Stadium, (17:00 GMT)
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Group D: Cameroon vs Mali, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, (20:00 GMT)
Thursday, 30 July
Group A: Senegal v Kenya, Olympic Stadium, (17:00 GMT)
Group A: Morocco v Algeria, Moulay Hassan Stadium, (20:00 GMT)
Friday, July 31st
Group B: South Africa v Ivory Coast, Moulay Rachid Stadium, (17:00 GMT)
Group B: Burkina Faso v Tanzania, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, (20:00 GMT)
Saturday, 1 August
Group C: Egypt v Malawi, Moulay Hassan Stadium, (17:00 GMT)
Group C: Nigeria v Zambia, Al Medina Stadium, (20:00 GMT)
Sunday, 2 August
Group D: Ghana v Cameroon, Moulay Rachid Stadium, (17:00 GMT)
Group D: Mali v Cape Verde, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, (20:00 GMT)
Temwa Chawinga from Malawi will play for the first time at Wafcon in Morocco [Getty Images]
Monday, 3 August
Group A: Senegal v Morocco, Moulay Hassan Stadium, (20:00 GMT)
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Group A: Kenya v Algeria, Olympic Stadium, (20:00 GMT)
Tuesday, 4 August
Group B: Burkina Faso v South Africa, Moulay Rachid Stadium, (20:00 GMT)
Group B: Tanzania v Ivory Coast, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, (20:00 GMT)
Wednesday, 5 August
Group C: Egypt v Nigeria, Olympic Stadium, (20:00 GMT)
Group C: Malawi v Zambia, Al Medina Stadium, (20:00 GMT)
Thursday, 6 August
Group D: Mali v Ghana, Moulay Rachid Stadium, (20:00 GMT)
Group D: Cape Verde v Cameroon, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, (20:00 GMT)
Wafcon 2026 quarterfinals
Saturday, August 8
QF 2: Winner Group B v Second Place Group A, Moulay Rachid Stadium, (17:00 GMT)
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QF 1: Group A Winner v Group B Runner-up, Moulay Hassan Stadium, (20:00 GMT)
Sunday, August 9
Q4: Group D Winner v Group C Runner-up, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, (17:00 GMT)
QF 3: Group C Winner v Group D Runner-Up, Al Medina Stadium, (20:00 GMT)
Wafcon 2026 semi-finalist
Ghana’s goalkeeper, Cynthia Konlan, saved two goals during the team’s 4-2 win over Algeria in the last 8 of the Wafcon 2024. [Confederation of African Football]
Wednesday, 12 August
SF2: Winner QF2 v Winner QF3, Olympic Stadium, (17:00 GMT)
SF1: Winner QF1 v Winner QF4, Moulay Hassan Stadium, (20:00 GMT)
2027 Women’s World Cup finals
Thursday, 13 August
Loser QF2 v Loser QF3, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, (17:00 GMT)
Loser QF1 v Loser QF4, Moulay Rachid Stadium, (20:00 GMT)
Playing third place
Saturday, 15 August
Loser SF1 v Loser SF2, Olympic Stadium, (17:00 GMT)
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Wafcon 2026 final
Sunday, 16 August
Winner SF1 v Winner SF2, Moulay Hassan Stadium or Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, (19:00 GMT)
