The countdown is on for the biggest edition yet of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with just 30 days remaining before the continent’s flagship women’s football tournament gets underway in Morocco.
The 14th edition of the competition will kick off on 26 July, when hosts Morocco face Kenya at Stade Moulay El Hassan in Rabat. The opening match is scheduled to begin at 21:00 local time (20:00 GMT), following the earlier Group A fixture between Algeria and Senegal.
For the first time in its history, the tournament will feature 16 teams, marking a significant expansion from the previous 12-team format as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) continues its efforts to accelerate the growth of the women’s game across the continent.
The enlarged competition is expected to provide more nations with the opportunity to compete at the highest level while increasing investment, exposure and commercial value for women’s football in Africa.
CAF has also substantially increased the financial rewards available at the tournament in recent editions. Prize money for the eventual champions has risen from US$150,000 to US$1 million, reflecting the governing body’s commitment to strengthening the professional landscape of women’s football.
Five stadiums across the host cities of Rabat and Casablanca will stage matches throughout the tournament, with Morocco hosting the competition for the second consecutive edition after successfully organising the 2022 finals.
Defending champions Nigeria will once again arrive as the team to beat. The Super Falcons are seeking a record-extending 11th WAFCON title, having dominated the competition since its inception.
However, the nine-time African champions are unlikely to have things their own way. South Africa, who won their maiden continental crown in 2022, remain among the leading contenders after establishing themselves as one of Africa’s most consistent sides in recent years.
Hosts Morocco will also carry high expectations after reaching the final on home soil four years ago, while Cameroon, Zambia, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire are all expected to mount serious challenges as the overall standard of women’s football across the continent continues to improve.
Beyond continental supremacy, the tournament carries added significance as it forms part of Africa’s qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The four teams that reach the semi-finals by winning their quarter-final ties will secure automatic qualification for the expanded global tournament, adding further incentive as Africa’s leading nations battle for both silverware and a place on the world stage.
With a larger field, increased prize money and World Cup qualification at stake, WAFCON Morocco 2026 promises to be one of the most competitive and significant editions of the tournament, underlining the continued rise of women’s football across Africa.
