Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026: final group matches to decide quarter-final places
The final round of group-stage matches at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 will determine which teams reach the quarter-finals, with the decisive fixtures taking place from 3 to 6 August.
Eight teams still in contention for a place in the last eight will discover their fate during the third and final matchday. Several group positions remain undecided, while the results could also alter the order of the teams before the knockout stage begins.
Morocco will begin Monday’s programme hoping to retain top spot when they face Senegal. At the same time, Algeria will meet Kenya with qualification as their main objective.
The remaining fixtures are also expected to have a major impact on the quarter-final picture. Tanzania versus Cote d’Ivoire, Malawi against Zambia and Mali’s meeting with Ghana are among the matches that could change the balance in their respective groups.
Although some teams have already put themselves in a strong position to advance, a number of places remain available. The final games will therefore be crucial for sides seeking to secure qualification and for those attempting to improve their position before the quarter-final line-up is confirmed.
All eight matches will be played at 20:00.
Monday, 3 August
20:00 – Senegal v Morocco
Morocco will look to protect their position at the top of the group against Senegal. The result could have a direct bearing on the final standings and the teams’ routes into the knockout phase.
20:00 – Kenya v Algeria
Algeria face Kenya knowing that victory would strengthen their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals. Kenya will also be aiming to influence the outcome of the group in the final round.
Tuesday, 4 August
20:00 – Burkina Faso v South Africa
Burkina Faso and South Africa will meet in another final group-stage fixture, with both teams’ positions to be settled at the end of the matchday.
20:00 – Tanzania v Cote d’Ivoire
Tanzania’s game against Cote d’Ivoire is one of the encounters identified as capable of reshaping the qualification picture before the quarter-final draw is formed.
Wednesday, 5 August
20:00 – Egypt v Nigeria
Egypt and Nigeria will contest the third-round match in their group as the remaining qualification places are decided.
20:00 – Malawi v Zambia
The meeting between Malawi and Zambia is another potentially decisive fixture. Its outcome could change the standings and determine which teams progress.
Thursday, 6 August
20:00 – Mali v Ghana
Mali and Ghana will bring the group-stage schedule towards its conclusion in a match that could have important consequences for the final quarter-final line-up.
20:00 – Cape Verde v Cameroon
Cape Verde will face Cameroon in the last listed fixture of the third matchday, with the final qualification places and group positions to be settled across the closing games.
The quarter-final picture will only become clear once all of the final group matches have been completed.
