The countdown to the 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) has reached 28 days, with defending champions Nigeria set to begin their campaign when Africa’s biggest women’s football tournament kicks off in Morocco on 26 July.
The Super Falcons will arrive in Morocco aiming to defend the continental title they won at the previous edition, where they secured a record-extending 10th WAFCON crown. Nigeria fought back from two goals down to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final, with Esther Okoronkwo, Folashade Ijamilusi and Jennifer Echegini scoring.
The National Sports Commission and Nigeria Football Federation have also established a seven-member Welfare Committee to support the Super Falcons during WAFCON 2026, ensuring the defending champions remain focused on football as they pursue a record-extending 11th African title in Morocco.
Nigeria will once again be among the favourites as the competition welcomes a record number of participating nations.
For the first time in the tournament’s history, WAFCON will feature 16 teams instead of 12. CAF introduced the expanded format to increase participation, strengthen competition and accelerate the growth of women’s football across Africa.
The qualified nations are hosts Morocco, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia.
CAF has also continued to increase its investment in the women’s game. Over the past five years, the winners’ prize money has risen from USD 150,000 to USD 1 million under the leadership of CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe.
Matches will be played in Rabat and Casablanca using five CAF-approved venues. The selected stadiums are Stade Moulay El Hassan, Stade Al Madina and Stade Olympique in Rabat, together with Stade Larbi Zaouli and Stade Moulay Rachid in Casablanca.
The tournament opens on 26 July when hosts Morocco face Kenya at Stade Moulay El Hassan. Earlier that day, Algeria will take on Senegal in the other Group A fixture at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.
Nigeria face another demanding route to the title, with Morocco, South Africa, Cameroon, Zambia, Ghana, Algeria and Côte d’Ivoire all expected to challenge for the trophy.
The tournament also doubles as Africa’s qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The four quarter-final winners will qualify automatically, while the losing quarter-finalists will progress to the FIFA Women’s World Cup play-off pathway.
With an expanded field, improved investment and stronger competition across the continent, WAFCON 2026 promises to deliver one of the most competitive editions in its history as the Super Falcons pursue another African title.
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