Ivory Coast return to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals on Monday for the first time in 12 years, opening their 2026 campaign against Burkina Faso in Group B in Casablanca.
The Elephantes, who have not appeared at the tournament since 2014, face Burkina Faso at the Stade Larbi Zaouli, with the fixture already shaping up as a potentially decisive contest in the battle to reach the quarter-finals.
Holders South Africa also start their title defence on the same day, taking on Tanzania in the other Group B match as the competition moves into its second day of action.
Ivory Coast target statement comeback
Ivory Coast rejoin the continental stage with clear ambitions to rediscover the level that once made them one of Africa’s rising women’s football nations.
Their last appearance at the finals came in 2014, when they claimed a historic third-place finish. On that occasion they defeated South Africa in the third-place play-off, a result that marked the high point of the team’s previous generation.
Twelve years on, the Elephantes are aiming for a similarly eye-catching run as they look to re-establish themselves among the leading sides on the continent.
The clash with Burkina Faso at Stade Larbi Zaouli is Ivory Coast’s first competitive match at this level since that 2014 campaign, and the outcome could have a significant impact on the rest of their group schedule and their hopes of progressing.
Group B gets under way after Group A openers
The Group B fixtures follow an opening day dominated by the hosts in Group A.
Morocco and Algeria both began their tournaments with victories on the first day of the 2026 edition, taking early control of Group A and setting a competitive tone for the rest of the competition.
With those results already on the board, attention now turns to Group B, where the defending champions South Africa, ambitious Ivory Coast and their opponents will attempt to position themselves strongly in the race for the knockout phase.
South Africa, the reigning champions, start against Tanzania, while Ivory Coast meet Burkina Faso in what could prove a pivotal encounter as the group stage unfolds.
