Morocco’s Jorge Vilda targets historic WAFCON 2026 glory on home soil

Morocco head coach Jorge Vilda says the Atlas Lionesses are determined to reward home supporters by winning their first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title when the 2026 tournament gets underway later this month.

The hosts will begin their Group A campaign against Kenya on 26 July before taking on Algeria and Senegal, with expectations high after reaching the finals of the last two WAFCON tournaments.

Rather than feeling burdened by the recent achievements of Morocco’s men’s national team, Vilda believes his players have drawn inspiration from their success.

“We don’t see that as pressure. Instead, it gives us hope.”

“Now it is our turn to show our potential. The players have one goal: to make the Moroccan people happy.”

Morocco aiming to go one step further

The Atlas Lionesses have established themselves among Africa’s leading women’s teams in recent years but have twice fallen just short of lifting the trophy.

Morocco finished runners-up to South Africa in the 2022 final before suffering another heartbreaking defeat against Nigeria in the 2024 showpiece, with both tournaments staged on home soil.

Now hosting the competition for a third successive edition, the North Africans will be hoping home advantage can finally propel them to a maiden continental triumph.

Vilda confident Morocco can reach new heights

Vilda, who guided Spain to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup title before taking charge of Morocco, believes the Atlas Lionesses have continued to improve despite their recent final defeats.

The Spaniard has consistently spoken of his ambition to build on the rapid progress of women’s football in Morocco and help the national team establish itself as a dominant force on the continent.

While lifting the WAFCON trophy remains the ultimate objective, Vilda insists his team’s immediate focus is on delivering performances that will make Moroccan supporters proud after years of unwavering backing.