What is WAFCON?
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is the continental tournament to find the best women’s international team in Africa. It has existed in some form since 1991 but the history of the current competition actually begins in 1998, when it has generally been held every two years.
Holders Nigeria have won a record 10 titles, with only Equatorial Guinea (2012 as hosts) and South Africa (2022) breaking their dominance of the tournament.
Originally planned as a 12-team tournament, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) added four more teams after qualification. All four sides lost in the second stage of qualifying, but were reinstated despite CAF previously refusing to make such changes. It was a sign of things to come.
Where and when is WAFCON 2026 being played?
For the third consecutive tournament, WAFCON is to be hosted by Morocco. Specifically, the games are to be played in Rabat and Casablanca, with the third city, Fez, being omitted from the initial lineup when the fixtures were announced.
Since withdrawing from hosting the men’s AFCON in 2015, Morocco has become the preferred African destination for both CAF and FIFA, the governors of global football. The North African country, which also hosted the men’s AFCON last year, is to co-host the 2030 men’s World Cup and has been shortlisted, or is the sole bidder, for several continental and international youth tournaments.
The tournament’s opening match between Algeria and Senegal is on July 26, with Morocco taking on Kenya on the same day. The final is to be held in Rabat on 16 August.
Why is WAFCON being played directly after the Men’s World Cup?
This should not have happened. After several weeks of rumour, denial and a South African proposal to step in as host, CAF announced just 12 days before the start of the tournament in March that it would be postponed. CAF, vaguely, attributed the delay to “unforeseen circumstances”.
“It’s a combination of factors, and it’s not a decision taken lightly,” CAF communications chief Luxolo September told DW at the time.
“There is a question of host country Morocco requesting a postponement for a number of reasons. There have been a lot of negotiations between Morocco, FIFA and CAF regarding the date. It is not a good situation for us. We have taken no pleasure in it. We would have liked to play in this window. This is a window we requested.”
Many teams, fans and players were disappointed by the short notice, as preparations had been made well in advance and money had been spent. Although this was not the first time. Two years ago, the tournament was postponed by a year because the tournament clashed with the Olympics in Paris – a key date in the women’s football calendar.
Along with the excitement of the Men’s World Cup, WAFCON 26 will now kick off as the season begins in many countries. Germany’s women’s season, for example, begins with the first round of the DFB Cup on the same weekend as the WAFCON finals.
Who are the favorites at WAFCON 26?
Hosts Morocco will be looking to match their men’s team, which won the AFCON tournament in controversial circumstances earlier this year, their first title, having lost the previous two finals.
Perennial champions Nigeria will once again enter as favourites, while 2022 winners South Africa will also fancy their chances. Below are several teams that could spring some surprises, including Ivory Coast, Egypt and newcomers Cape Verde, whose men’s team became one of the stories of the World Cup.
Who are the players to watch at WAFCON 26?
Apart from Zambia’s Barbara Banda and Rachel Kundananji, Nigeria’s Rashidat Ajibade may be the most awarded talent. Named Player of the Tournament in 2024, Ajibade is a leader for her team as well as a dynamic attacking threat. At the other end of the field, Nigeria will rely on Chiamaka Nnadozie, who is widely regarded as the continent’s best goalkeeper.
Hosts Morocco will be eyeing Ghislain Chebbak. The top scorer in the last two tournaments, the 35-year-old Chebbak couldn’t get a better chance than this to win his first major international honour.
Elsewhere, Tabitha Chawinga of French champions Lyon, the lowest FIFA-ranked team in the competition, will boost Malawi’s hopes. Chavinga’s international career has been interrupted by his club commitments, but he has scored an extraordinary 25 goals in 11 caps so far. His sister Temwa is also on the Malawi team and plays her club soccer for Kansas City Current of the NWSL, the United States’ top league. There, he won the 2025 Golden Boot as the top goalscorer with 15 goals in 23 games.
Edited by: Chuck Penfold