Missed the big football tournament? Fear not, Wafcon 2026 is about to begin | Women’s football
TThe men’s World Cup may be over but don’t worry, the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) is ready to continue where Spain and Argentina left off. The 34-game event will take place between 26 July and 16 August, sandwiched between football’s global showcase and the start of the league season in Europe. Here’s your guide to the most limited but exciting events on the sporting calendar.
What are you playing now?
The tournament was supposed to take place in three Moroccan cities – Rabat, Casablanca and Fes – between 17 March and 3 April. However, just 12 days before kick-off it was postponed due to what the Confederation of African Football called “unforeseen circumstances”. Surprisingly, the conflict in the Middle East, which affected several travel routes, was not mentioned as one of them. Director of Communications at Caf, Luxolo September, said that Morocco requested new dates for “many reasons”, none of which were disclosed.
South Africa appeared determined to host the tournament, before Morocco was confirmed and a new window was announced. The revised fixture list, which only includes two of the three host cities, Rabat and Casablanca, was revealed on 25 June. The draw remained the same.
Many teams, including South Africa and Nigeria, have expressed their displeasure at the late change, especially since they have been playing games to prepare for the tournament. Also, this change meant that, for many players, they would be out for the season.
What is the setup?
It is the first time that the tournament has been played with 16 teams – up from 12 in the previous two games – but the placement of the final four sides is not satisfactory. They were added to the tournament only after the qualifying process that ran from February to October 2025 has been completed. Four teams – Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali and Egypt – have been selected for the rankings.
Although Egypt midfielder Nadine Ghazi admitted the team’s qualification was “different, if I may put it that way”, they hope to take inspiration from their men’s side, who reached the last 16 of the World Cup before losing to Argentina.
Another team that will be looking to the performance of their male colleagues to encourage them is Cape Verde, one of the two players who played for the first time in this tournament. Malawi played for the first time.
The teams are divided into four groups of four. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals. All games start at 6pm or later local time, unlike the 2025 schedule, where some teams play at 3pm in the extreme mid-summer heat.
Who are the favorites?
The competition’s most successful competitors, Nigeria, achieved “Mission X” and won the 10th Wafcon title in 2025, and it is difficult to go past them this time. They have kept the core of that team, captain Rasheedat Ajibade, but they will be without defender Ashleigh Plumptre due to a foot injury. Striker Asisat Oshoala and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie are in the headlines for their team.
Morocco have been runners-up in the last two tournaments and will be looking to go one better, especially as this could be the last of three home tournaments. Wafcon 2028 will be held elsewhere.
Other strong contenders in 2022 are South Africa, with an experienced team, and Zambia, who won bronze medals in 2022 and a quarter-final in 2025.
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Who are the biggest stars?
Malawi will be seen for the first time at Wafcon, many eyes are on sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga. Tabitha, who will captain the team, plays for European powerhouse OL Lyonnes, while Temwa is with the Kansas City Current, where he was voted NWSL MVP for two consecutive seasons. She was also the top-ranked African player in the Guardian’s 100 best female footballers in the world last year in sixth place.
The local fans will follow Morocco’s captain, Ghizlane Chebbak, who won the Golden Boot in the last two Wafcons, scoring eight times in those tournaments. At the age of 35, this could be his last major tournament and he will not want to continue without a trophy.
Zambian NWSL stars Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji scored three goals each in the previous tournament but could not get past this team in the quarter-finals. Given their reputation, the two will be hoping to ensure that Zambia can continue to develop their reputation as important continental operators.
Ghana played the best last year, when they lost to Morocco on penalties in the semi-finals. Their striker Princess Marfo, who recently signed from PSV Eindhoven, and Evelyn Badu, fresh off a hat-trick for the Montreal Roses, are two to watch.
What is at stake?
In short: money and a title for a major tournament. Prize money at the last Wafcon increased by 45% overall, with each team earning at least $125,000 (£94,000) and the winners, Nigeria, pocketing $1m. Again there is something at stake: the four semi-finalists will enter the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, while the four losers in the quarter-finals will play a draw to decide which two teams will advance to the inter-confederation decider.
