WAFCON 2026: Nigeria Defends Title as Africa’s Best Women Teams Battle in Morocco
The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) has kicked off in Morocco, bringing together the continent’s top women’s football teams for a month-long battle for supremacy. The tournament runs from July 26 to August 16, with matches scheduled in Rabat and Casablanca.
The competition has expanded from 12 teams to 16 nations for the first time, making this edition the biggest WAFCON tournament in history. The expansion is aimed at increasing participation and improving the growth of women’s football across Africa.
Defending champions Nigeria’s Super Falcons will be among the teams expected to challenge for the trophy as they aim to continue their dominance in African women’s football. Nigeria remains the most successful team in the history of the competition.
Hosts Morocco are also among the favourites, hoping to use home advantage and strong support from fans to secure their first WAFCON title. Other major contenders include South Africa, Zambia, Ghana and Cameroon.
The 16 participating countries have been divided into four groups, with Nigeria drawn in Group C alongside Zambia, Egypt and debutants Malawi. The group stage will determine the teams that progress to the knockout rounds.
The tournament has attracted some of Africa’s biggest women football stars, including Zambia’s Barbra Banda, Racheal Kundananji, Morocco captain Ghizlane Chebbak and several key players from Nigeria’s Super Falcons.
Beyond winning the continental title, the competition also carries additional importance as the semi-finalists will secure qualification routes towards the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
CAF has continued to increase investment in women’s football, with prize money for the WAFCON winners rising significantly in recent years as part of efforts to develop the women’s game on the continent.
With established champions, rising teams and new entrants competing, WAFCON 2026 is expected to deliver intense matches as African nations fight for continental glory in Morocco.