The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced that the final draw for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) will take place in Rabat, Morocco. Scheduled for Thursday, January 15, 2026, this ceremony marks the beginning of the countdown to the continent’s premier women’s football tournament.
Event Details and Timing
The high-stakes draw is set to begin at 2:00 PM local time (13:00 GMT / 15:00 Cairo). During the same event, CAF will celebrate the continent’s top talents by announcing the winners of several prestigious women’s football awards.
According to an official statement released on Wednesday, January 7, the categories include:
- CAF Women’s Coach of the Year
- CAF Women’s Interclub Player of the Year
- CAF Women’s Club of the Year
Originally, these honors were intended for the main CAF Awards night in November 2025. However, officials postponed them to ensure the conclusion of the CAF Women’s Champions League season. Consequently, this delay allowed for a fair evaluation of all performances across the entire season.
A Historic 16-Team Expansion
The 2026 edition of WAFCON is set to be a landmark event. For the first time in history, the competition will feature an expanded field of 16 teams, up from the previous 12. This growth reflects the rapid development and increasing competitiveness of women’s football across Africa.
The qualified nations competing in the 2026 tournament include:
- Hosts: Morocco
- Defending Champions: Nigeria
- Qualifiers: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia.
Understanding the Voting Process
Earlier this week, CAF reopened the voting for the three award categories. While CAF coordinates the process, the body does not cast votes itself. Instead, it relies on a diverse panel of experts to determine the winners.
For the Interclub Player of the Year, the decision rests with media representatives along with the captains and coaches from the Women’s Champions League.
Meanwhile, the Coach of the Year is decided by media members and head coaches from all member associations. Finally, the Club of the Year winner is determined by votes from the media and the CAF Women’s Technical Committee.
By expanding the tournament and honoring its stars, CAF continues to strengthen its strategic vision for the growth of the women’s game.
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