The stage is set for a historic chapter in African women’s football. On Thursday, January 15, 2026, the official draw for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) took place in Rabat, Morocco. The glittering ceremony at the Mohammed VI Football Complex revealed the paths for 16 nations competing for continental glory.
This edition marks a major milestone. For the first time, the tournament has expanded to include 16 teams, up from the previous 12. This change reflects the rapid growth and rising competitiveness of the women’s game across Africa.
The Road to Glory: Group Stage Pairings
The draw has produced several high-stakes matches that fans are already anticipating. Hosts Morocco and defending champions Nigeria were automatically seeded into Groups A and C. These seeds set the foundation for four highly competitive pools.
- Group A (Rabat): Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, Kenya
- Group B (Rabat): South Africa, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Tanzania
- Group C (Casablanca): Nigeria, Zambia, Egypt, Malawi
- Group D (Fès): Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, Cape Verde
Notably, Malawi and Cape Verde will make their historic debuts on the WAFCON stage.
Meanwhile, Group C is already being called the “Group of Death.” It features ten-time champions Nigeria alongside a formidable Zambian side and a rapidly improving Egyptian squad.
Venues and Tournament Schedule
The tournament will run from March 17 to April 3, 2026. Morocco is hosting for the third consecutive time and will use world-class facilities in three major cities:
- Rabat: Matches for Groups A and B will take place at the Moulay Hassan and Al Madina Stadiums.
- Casablanca: Group C will be based at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium.
- Fès: Group D will compete in the historic city of Fès.
- High Stakes: The World Cup Qualifiers
The 2026 WAFCON is about more than just a continental trophy. It also serves as the official African qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The four teams that reach the semi-finals will secure automatic tickets to the World Cup.
However, the journey does not end for the quarter-final losers. They will enter a play-off round to determine which teams represent Africa in the inter-confederation play-offs.
__________________________________
RELATED ARTICLE: “Nigeria is Proud of You”: FG Hails Super Eagles After AFCON Semi-Final Exit
Armenian Dram
Ghana Cedi
Gambian Dalasi
Guinea Franc
Nigerian Naira
CFA Franc BEAC
