2026 WAFCON: Heavyweights face early tests as Africa’s best prepare for group stage battle

The stage is set for the 2026 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with 16 of the continent’s top national teams preparing to battle for continental glory in Morocco.

The tournament, which runs from July 26 to August 16, has been expanded from 12 to 16 teams for the first time, promising a more competitive and unpredictable championship.

Beyond lifting the trophy, teams will also be fighting for qualification to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, with the four semi-finalists earning automatic qualification while the losing quarter-finalists will contest additional play-off places.

Hosts Morocco headline Group A alongside Kenya, Senegal and Algeria. The Atlas Lionesses, runners-up in each of the last two editions, will be eager to capitalize on home advantage as they seek a first-ever WAFCON title.

While Morocco enter as favourites to top the group, both Senegal and Algeria possess enough quality to challenge for a quarter-final berth, with Kenya hoping to spring a surprise.

Group B features defending COSAFA champions South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Tanzania. South Africa are expected to lead the group thanks to their experience and recent success on the continental stage, but Côte d’Ivoire’s return to the expanded tournament could make the race for qualification highly competitive. Burkina Faso and Tanzania will also be aiming to upset the established order.

Arguably the tournament’s “group of death” is Group C, where defending champions Nigeria must negotiate difficult fixtures against Zambia, Malawi and Egypt. Nigeria remain the most successful nation in WAFCON history and are once again among the favourites to lift the trophy.

However, Zambia’s attacking duo of Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji are expected to pose one of the biggest threats to the Super Falcons, while Malawi and Egypt will be determined to make their mark.

Ghana headline Group D alongside Cameroon, Mali and tournament debutants Cape Verde. The Black Queens return with renewed confidence after reaching the semi-finals in the previous edition and will be aiming to build on that impressive campaign.

Cameroon and Mali bring considerable tournament experience, while Cape Verde will be eager to announce themselves on their maiden appearance at Africa’s premier women’s football competition.

Several of Africa’s biggest stars are expected to light up the tournament. Nigeria will once again rely on the experience of Asisat Oshoala and Chiamaka Nnadozie, while Morocco captain Ghizlane Chebbak hopes to inspire the hosts to a historic title.

Zambia’s Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji remain among the continent’s most feared attacking players, while Ghana will look to the emerging talents of Princess Marfo and Evelyn Badu to spearhead their challenge.

With the tournament expanded, increased prize money on offer and World Cup qualification at stake, the 2026 WAFCON promises to be one of the most competitive editions in the competition’s history.

Traditional powerhouses Nigeria, Morocco, South Africa and Ghana enter among the favourites, but the expanded field offers several emerging nations the opportunity to rewrite the continental hierarchy and produce memorable upsets over the coming weeks.