Burkina Faso women step up AFCON 2026 preparations

Burkina Faso women’s national football team have stepped up preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a new training phase focused on physical conditioning, as the squad prepares to travel abroad for the next stage of its build-up.

The second phase of camp began on Thursday at the Stade du 4 Août in Ouagadougou under the direction of head coach Pascal Sawadogo.

This stage centres on improving the team’s physical readiness, with the current group made up exclusively of players competing in the domestic championship.

Sawadogo underlined the competitive base of the squad, noting that ” each player has at least 16 matches under their belt . “

The emphasis on match fitness is intended to ensure continuity as the team transitions into the next stage of its programme, where overseas-based players will be reintegrated.

The delegation is scheduled to depart for Morocco late Monday into Tuesday morning.

There, the locally based players will be joined by internationals for phase three of preparations, expanding the group as the coaching staff refine tactical and physical elements ahead of the continental tournament.

Friendly fixtures are also part of the plan. As in the previous year, the Women’s Stallions are set to face the host nation in two preparation matches.

Those encounters are expected to provide a benchmark for progress and cohesion as the squad blends domestic and international experience.

The structured approach reflects Burkina Faso’s intention to build momentum well in advance of the competition.

Beginning with domestic camps allows the technical staff to assess conditioning and consistency before incorporating the full squad abroad.

Each phase is designed to build on the previous one, reinforcing fitness and team understanding.

By staging successive camps and competitive friendlies, the coaching staff aim to create continuity in preparation.

The transition to Morocco marks a key step, broadening the group and testing readiness in a different environment.

For the Women’s Stallions, the current cycle represents a deliberate progression toward tournament form, grounded in domestic match experience and expanded through international integration.