Nigeria face tough WAFCON 2026 group challenge as tournament set to kick off on Sunday

The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) gets underway in Morocco on Sunday, with continental supremacy, World Cup qualification and a historic $2 million prize at stake.

A record 16 teams will compete in this year’s tournament, an increase from the 12-nation format used in the previous edition, as Africa’s top women’s football nations battle for the coveted trophy.

Defending champions and 10-time winners Nigeria enter the competition as the team to beat. The Super Falcons have been placed in Group C alongside Zambia, Egypt and tournament debutants Malawi in what promises to be one of the most competitive sections.

Zambia arrive with a star-studded attacking force led by Racheal Kundananji, who joined American club Bay FC from Madrid CFF in 2024 for a then-world record transfer fee in women’s football. Fellow striker Barbra Banda, known for her goalscoring consistency, will also be a major threat.

Malawi may be considered outsiders, but they boast two of Africa’s most exciting forwards in the Chawinga sisters. Tabitha Chawinga currently plays for French giants Lyon, while Temwa Chawinga represents Kansas City Current in the United States.

Since the first edition in 1998, WAFCON has been dominated by Nigeria, with only Equatorial Guinea and South Africa managing to lift the title. Equatorial Guinea, however, failed to qualify for this year’s tournament, while South Africa will begin their campaign as top seeds in Group B.

The reigning African champions, South Africa, will face Tanzania, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso as they seek to build on their recent success and challenge Nigeria’s dominance.

Hosts Morocco headline Group A, where they will meet Algeria, Senegal and Kenya. The clash between Morocco and Algeria on July 30 is expected to attract significant attention due to the long-running political tensions between the two North African neighbours, particularly over the disputed Western Sahara territory and historic border issues.

Group D features a strong West and Central African presence, with 2024 bronze medallists Ghana drawn alongside three-time finalists Cameroon and newcomers Cape Verde. The island nation will hope to replicate the excitement created by their men’s national team’s performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The tournament will be staged across five venues, with three stadiums in Morocco’s capital Rabat and two in Casablanca hosting the 34 matches.

Beyond determining Africa’s women’s football champion, the competition will also serve as a pathway to the global stage, with quarterfinal losers set to compete for intercontinental World Cup play-off opportunities.

With increased participation, record prize money and qualification stakes, the 2026 WAFCON is set to be one of the biggest editions in the tournament’s history.