The delayed Women’s Africa Cup of Nations – known as Wafcon 2026 – is finally underway in Morocco.
The opening day (Sunday 26 July) saw Algeria beat Senegal 2-0 and hosts Morocco thrashing Kenya 4-0 in Group A. It’s the third successive time Morocco has hosted the event, and the first edition to feature 16 teams, expanded from 12.
Wafcon 2026 Groups: Who’s Playing Who?
The 16 competing teams are split into four groups of four:
- Group A features hosts Morocco alongside Algeria, Senegal and Kenya.
- Group B is made up of South Africa, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Tanzania.
- Group C includes holders Nigeria, Zambia, Egypt and debutants Malawi.
- Group D rounds things off with Ghana, Cameroon, Mali and fellow first-timers Cape Verde.
Matches will be played across five stadiums split between Rabat and Casablanca.
Who Are the Favourites to Take the Wafcon 2026 Crown?
It’s worth keeping an eye on Morocco. Managed by 2023 World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda, they’ve been runners-up in the past two editions and will hope home advantage helps them go one better this year.
2022 Wafcon champions South Africa also look strong, as do Ghana, who finished third in the last competition. And Zambia will be bolstered by the presence of 2024 BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year Barbra Banda.
However, Nigeria arrive as defending champions – having won a record 10th Wafcon title last year – and are also the continent’s top-ranked side. It’s hard to see past them at the moment, and they’ll likely be the favourite to take the crown and claim their 11th Wafcon trophy.
Wafcon 2026 Prize Money
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has doubled the prize money on offer for Wafcon 2026.
The winning team will take home $2m (up from $1m last year), while the runners-up will receive $750,000; also a 50% increase.
All 16 competing nations will receive $150,000 just for taking part, with the overall prize pot rising from $3.475m to $5.8m.
Where is the Wafcon 2026 Final?
The quarter-finals take place on 8 and 9 August, with both semi-finals following on 12 August.
The Wafcon 2026 final then takes place on 16 August, either at the Moulay Hassan Stadium or the larger Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, depending on whether Morocco make it all the way.
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