Wafcon 2026: Key things to know before the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Morocco

The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) gets under way in Morocco on Sunday, with the continent’s leading women’s national teams assembling for a month-long tournament that will conclude with the final on 16 August.

This year’s edition of Wafcon, Africa’s premier women’s football competition, will again place Morocco at the centre of the women’s game on the continent, with the host nation looking to build on the momentum generated by recent high-profile tournaments staged in the country.

The competition will run from the opening kick-off this Sunday through to the showpiece final on 16 August, providing an extended window for teams to stake their claim as the best in Africa and, for many players, a crucial platform to enhance their international reputations.

The tournament retains its official title of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, commonly shortened to Wafcon, and continues to be organised under the authority of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as the flagship event for women’s national teams across the continent.

Morocco stages continental showpiece

By hosting Wafcon 2026, Morocco once more positions itself as a key venue for major African football events, with infrastructure and facilities geared towards accommodating the demands of a top-tier international competition across several weeks of action.

The scheduling of the final on 16 August creates a clearly defined climax to the tournament, with the decisive match expected to attract extensive interest from supporters across Africa and beyond, given the increasing global profile of women’s football.

Tournament focus and fan engagement

This year’s Wafcon will again provide fans with the chance to follow the progress of established stars and emerging talents as they represent their countries on one of the biggest stages available to African women footballers.

Supporters are being encouraged to engage with coverage and discussion around the competition, with online platforms inviting readers to sign up or sign in to share their views on the tournament, its standout performers and the overall development of the women’s game in Africa. Commenting remains subject to established moderation rules, with readers asked to familiarise themselves with the relevant comment policy before contributing.

A landmark month for African women’s football

With the start date now upon the teams and the final already fixed for mid-August, Wafcon 2026 is set to deliver a concentrated period of high-level international football, offering a clear focal point for the women’s game on the continent over the coming weeks.

As the action begins in Morocco on Sunday and builds towards the 16 August finale, the tournament is expected to play a significant role in maintaining the upward trajectory of African women’s football, both in terms of competitive standards and global visibility.