- WAFCON 2026 complete tournament guide – Fixtures, kick-off dates (EAT), tournament venues and the full match schedule.
- All four groups, participating teams and the opening round of fixtures.
- Where to watch the tournament live and the leading favourites to lift the WAFCON 2026 trophy
The countdown is almost over.
In just four days, the eyes of the continent will turn to Morocco for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where 16 of Africa’s finest national teams will battle for continental supremacy and a place in the history books.
The delayed tournament gets underway on Sunday, July 26, and promises three weeks of high-quality football, fierce rivalries and unforgettable moments before a new African champion is crowned on August 16.
Beyond lifting the coveted WAFCON trophy, this year’s competition carries even greater significance as it also serves as the African qualification tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The four semi-finalists will automatically qualify for the global showpiece, while the four losing quarter-finalists will fight for two intercontinental play-off spots.
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Sixteen teams set for battle
The expanded tournament features 16 nations divided into four groups of four, with every team dreaming of progressing to the knockout rounds.
- Group A: Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, Kenya
- Group B: South Africa, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Tanzania
- Group C: Nigeria, Zambia, Egypt, Malawi
- Group D: Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, Cape Verde
Hosts Morocco will be looking to make home advantage count after finishing runners-up in the last two editions, while defending champions Nigeria are chasing a record-extending 11th WAFCON title.
South Africa, who lifted the trophy in 2022, remain among the favourites, while Zambia’s exciting attacking duo of Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji will be eager to guide the Copper Queens to a memorable campaign.
Kenya’s Harambee Starlets also return to the tournament after a decade away and face a stern challenge in Group A against hosts Morocco, Algeria and Senegal.
Opening day fixtures (All times EAT)
The tournament begins on Sunday, July 26, with two Group A encounters.
- Algeria vs Senegal– 8:00 PM EAT
- Morocco vs Kenya – 11:00 PM EAT
The Harambee Starlets will immediately be thrown into the deep end as they take on tournament hosts Morocco in front of a passionate home crowd in Rabat.
Key WAFCON 2026 group stage fixtures (All times EAT)
Monday, July 27
- South Africa vs Tanzania – 8:00 PM
- Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso – 11:00 PM
Tuesday, July 28
- Zambia vs Egypt – 8:00 PM
- Nigeria vs Malawi – 11:00 PM
Wednesday, July 29
- Ghana vs Cape Verde – 8:00 PM
- Cameroon vs Mali – 11:00 PM
Kenya’s remaining fixtures
- July 30: Kenya vs Senegal – 8:00 PM EAT
- August 3: Kenya vs Algeria – 11:00 PM EAT
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the quarter-finals scheduled for August 8 and 9, before the semi-finals take place on August 12.
The championship match will be played on Sunday, August 16, kicking off at 10:00 PM EAT.
WAFCON 2026 Tournament venues
Five stadiums across Morocco will host this year’s championship.
- Moulay Hassan Stadium (Rabat)
- Olympic Stadium (Rabat)
- Al Medina Stadium (Rabat)
- Larbi Zaouli Stadium (Casablanca)
- Moulay Rachid Stadium (Casablanca)
The final will be staged either at the Moulay Hassan Stadium or the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Where to watch WAFCON 2026
Football fans across Africa and around the world will be able to follow every kick of the tournament through CAF’s official broadcast partners.
In Kenya, supporters can catch the matches live on KBC, while other African broadcasters include beIN Sports, Canal+, Azam TV, SABC Sport, UBC Uganda, NTA Nigeria, CRTV Cameroon, RTI Ivory Coast, TVM Mozambique, RTNC DR Congo and TPA Angola.
International viewers will also have access through broadcasters such as BBC, Sport TV, Arena Sport, Ziggo, Setanta Sports, Naver, among several other global partners.
Who are the favourites?
Nigeria arrive as defending champions and remain the benchmark of women’s football in Africa with a record 10 titles, boasting experienced stars such as Rasheedat Ajibade, Chiamaka Nnadozie and Asisat Oshoala.
Hosts Morocco will once again rely on home support and the guidance of Spanish coach Jorge Vilda as they seek to go one step further after consecutive runners-up finishes.
South Africa’s Banyana Banyana remain dangerous under experienced coach Desiree Ellis, while Zambia possess one of the continent’s most explosive attacking units led by Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji.
Ghana’s Black Queens also return with renewed ambition, while Kenya’s Harambee Starlets will be eager to upset the odds and make a statement on their return to Africa’s biggest women’s football stage.
With continental glory, World Cup qualification and national pride all on the line, WAFCON 2026 promises three weeks of relentless action, tactical battles and moments of brilliance as Africa’s best women’s teams compete for the ultimate prize.