WAFCON 2026: Full Fixtures, Dates, Groups and Past Champions

The countdown to the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is over as Morocco hosts Africa's biggest women's football tournament once again. For the first time, 16 nations will compete for continental supremacy, with the competition also serving as the African qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil.

Defending champions Nigeria's Super Falcons enter the tournament chasing an unprecedented 11th African title, while hosts Morocco, South Africa, Zambia and Ghana are among the teams hoping to challenge their dominance.

Expanded tournament raises stakes

The expansion from 12 to 16 teams increases both the number of matches and opportunities for emerging nations to compete on Africa's biggest stage. The top two teams from each group will progress to the quarter-finals before the tournament enters the knockout rounds.

Beyond the continental title, reaching the semi-finals guarantees qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup, making every group-stage match even more significant.

WAFCON 2026 Groups

Group A

• Morocco
• Algeria
• Senegal
• Kenya

Group B

• South Africa
• Ivory Coast
• Burkina Faso
• Tanzania

Group C

• Nigeria
• Zambia
• Egypt
• Malawi

Group D

• Ghana
• Cameroon
• Mali
• Cape Verde

Group C is widely regarded as one of the toughest sections, with defending champions Nigeria facing an ambitious Zambia side alongside Egypt and tournament debutants Malawi.

WAFCON 2026 Full Match Schedule

Group A

July 26

• Algeria vs Senegal — 17:00 GMT
• Morocco vs Kenya — 20:00 GMT

July 30

• Senegal vs Kenya — 17:00 GMT
• Morocco vs Algeria — 20:00 GMT

August 3

• Senegal vs Morocco — 20:00 GMT
• Kenya vs Algeria — 20:00 GMT

Group B

July 27

• South Africa vs Tanzania — 17:00 GMT
• Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso — 20:00 GMT

July 31

• South Africa vs Ivory Coast — 17:00 GMT
• Burkina Faso vs Tanzania — 20:00 GMT

August 4

• Burkina Faso vs South Africa — 20:00 GMT
• Tanzania vs Ivory Coast — 20:00 GMT

Group C

July 28

• Zambia vs Egypt — 17:00 GMT
• Nigeria vs Malawi — 20:00 GMT

August 1

• Egypt vs Malawi — 17:00 GMT
• Nigeria vs Zambia — 20:00 GMT

August 5

• Egypt vs Nigeria — 20:00 GMT
• Malawi vs Zambia — 20:00 GMT

Group D

July 29

• Ghana vs Cape Verde — 17:00 GMT
• Cameroon vs Mali — 20:00 GMT

August 2

• Ghana vs Cameroon — 17:00 GMT
• Mali vs Cape Verde — 20:00 GMT

August 6

• Mali vs Ghana — 20:00 GMT
• Cape Verde vs Cameroon — 20:00 GMT

Knockout Stage Schedule

Quarter-finals

August 8

• Winner Group B vs Runner-up Group A — 17:00 GMT
• Winner Group A vs Runner-up Group B — 20:00 GMT

August 9

• Winner Group D vs Runner-up Group C — 17:00 GMT
• Winner Group C vs Runner-up Group D — 20:00 GMT

World Cup Qualification Play-offs

August 13

• Loser QF2 vs Loser QF3
• Loser QF1 vs Loser QF4

Semi-finals

August 12

• Winner QF1 vs Winner QF4
• Winner QF2 vs Winner QF3

Third-place Match

August 15

Final

August 16

• Final — 19:00 GMT

WAFCON Past Champions

Nigeria remain the dominant force in African women's football, winning 10 titles since the tournament adopted its current format.

Only Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa have lifted the trophy since the competition's inception.

Nigeria eye another historic triumph

The Super Falcons once again arrive as tournament favourites after their dramatic title-winning comeback in the previous edition.

With experienced stars such as Rasheedat Ajibade, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Jennifer Echegini, Esther Okoronkwo and an emerging generation of talent, Nigeria will be aiming to extend their remarkable legacy by capturing an 11th continental championship.

However, hosts Morocco, reigning 2022 champions South Africa and an increasingly dangerous Zambia side are all expected to mount serious title challenges in what promises to be one of the most competitive WAFCON tournaments ever staged.

SportsLigue