The 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is set to usher in a new era for women’s football in Africa, with the tournament expanding to 16 teams for the first time in its history.
The continental showpiece will kick off on July 26 in Rabat, where hosts Morocco will face Kenya at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium. Earlier on the opening day, Algeria will take on Senegal in the other Group A fixture at the Olympic Stadium.
In a statement released on Friday, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) described the expanded format as a landmark achievement for the competition, which is now in its 14th edition.
According to CAF, increasing the number of participating teams forms part of its long-term strategy to strengthen women’s football across the continent by creating more opportunities for national teams, improving competition structures and boosting investment in the women’s game.
The governing body noted that women’s football in Africa has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, highlighted by a significant increase in prize money. Under CAF President Patrice Motsepe, the winners’ prize has risen from $150,000 to $1 million over the past five years.
The 16 nations that qualified for Morocco 2026 are hosts Morocco, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, defending champions Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia.
Matches will be played across five CAF-approved venues in Rabat and Casablanca, including the Stade Moulay El Hassan, Stade Al Madina, Stade Olympique, Stade Larbi Zaouli and Stade Moulay Rachid.
Defending champions Nigeria’s Super Falcons, who lifted a record-extending 10th WAFCON title at the previous edition, will aim to retain their crown against a highly competitive field.
CAF expects strong challenges from hosts Morocco, reigning continental powers South Africa, former champions Cameroon, as well as emerging contenders Algeria, Zambia, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
Beyond the quest for continental supremacy, the tournament will also determine Africa’s representatives at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The four quarter-final winners will automatically qualify for the global tournament, while the four losing quarter-finalists will have another opportunity through the FIFA Women’s World Cup play-off pathway.
With increased investment, improved competitiveness and the largest field in the tournament’s history, CAF believes the Morocco 2026 edition is poised to become one of the most exciting and fiercely contested Women’s Africa Cup of Nations ever held.