The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is now underway in Morocco with 16 African nations participating in the most prestigious women’s football competition on the continent.
WAFCON 2026 fixtures, Taking place from 26 July to 16 August, this year’s tournament has the biggest prize fund in the history of the event – $5.8 million, as well as four qualifying slots for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will be held in Brazil. With Nigeria defending the title and Morocco and South Africa expected to compete for the championship, find out more about the teams to watch and the other information related to WAFCON 2026 below.
WAFCON 2026 fixtures
2026 WAFCON Groupings
This edition of the 16-team tournament is made up of four groups of four teams.
| Group | Team |
| Group A | Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, Kenya |
| Group B | South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Tanzania |
| Group C | Nigeria, Zambia, Egypt, Malawi |
| Group D | Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, Cape Verde |
The best two teams in every group together with the top third-placed teams qualify for the knockout round.
Full Schedule of Tournament
This tournament takes place in three weeks, ending with the final match on 16 August.
| Stage | Date |
| Group Stage | 26 July – 6 August 2026 |
| Quarter Finals | 8–9 August 2026 |
| Semi-Finals | 12 August 2026 |
| 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers | 13 August 2026 |
| Finals | 16 August 2026 |
This tournament will take place at various venues in Morocco, including Rabat and Casablanca.
Prize Money Structure
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has decided to increase the prize money in the tournament to attract more investments in women’s football in Africa.
The prize money structure would be as follows:
- Champions – US$2 million
- Runners-up – US$750,000
- Third-placed team – US$550,000
- Participation prize – US$150,000 per team (there are 16 teams in the tournament)
These increased financial incentives should help national associations to invest further in developing the players and women’s football.
Teams to Watch
Nigeria
The Super Falcons are the most successful women’s national team in Africa and defend their title as the champions. With experience and promising youngsters in the team, Nigeria will once again be among the favorites.
Morocco
Having home advantage in the tournament, Morocco would try to make full use of recent achievements and try to secure its first-ever WAFCON title. They have continued their massive investments in women’s football over the last few years.
South Africa
Banyana Banyana have firmly established themselves among the best teams in Africa, having been consistent performers in both regional and international tournaments.
Zambia
Zambia have emerged as one of the rising stars in Africa, with an array of attacking talent that can give the toughest of defences sleepless nights. They are regarded as a potential dark horse in the tournament.
Qualification to World Cup At Stake
Apart from winning the continental title, WAFCON 2026 is also a qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The four teams who reach the semi-final stage will automatically get a place in the expanded global competition, whereas other qualification spots might also come through the intercontinental play-offs, subject to FIFA’s final allocations.
All this, along with group stage matches of high significance for Africa’s best teams.
Don’t Miss These Stories
Could Africa Lift the FIFA World Cup 2026 Trophy?
Discover which African nation has the strongest chance to make history at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Looking for FIFA World Cup 2026 Streaming Prices?
Check the latest FIFA World Cup 2026 streaming options and subscription costs across Africa.
Curious About FIFA’s Smart Ball?
Explore how FIFA’s AI-powered smart ball technology tracks every movement during World Cup 2026.
Which African Stars Will Dominate FIFA World Cup 2026?
Discover five African footballers who could become the biggest World Cup 2026 breakout stars.
Why Was Omar Artan Excluded FIFA World Cup 2026?
Check the story behind referee Omar Artan’s exclusion from the FIFA World Cup 2026.
