All you need to know about Wafcon 2026

What the report says

BBC Sport Football reports that the delayed 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is set to begin in Morocco on Sunday, 26 July, with Algeria facing Senegal in Rabat at 17:00 GMT. The tournament, also known as Wafcon, was originally scheduled for 17 March to 3 April, but the Confederation of African Football postponed it 12 days before kick-off, citing “unforeseen circumstances.”

Morocco is hosting the finals for a third consecutive edition, with the expanded 16-team competition now featuring 34 matches through to the final on Sunday, 16 August. The tournament also carries added significance because it will serve as Africa’s qualifier for the 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup in Brazil: all four semi-finalists will qualify directly, while the losing quarter-finalists will contest play-offs for two intercontinental qualifier places.

The teams are divided into four groups. Hosts Morocco are in Group A with Algeria, Senegal and Kenya. South Africa, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Tanzania make up Group B. Holders Nigeria are in Group C with Zambia, Egypt and debutants Malawi, while Group D contains Ghana, Cameroon, Mali and first-time finalists Cape Verde. The top two teams in each group advance to the quarter-finals.

According to BBC Sport, matches will be held in Rabat and Casablanca across five venues, with most kick-offs at 17:00 or 20:00 GMT. Nigeria, seeking an 11th title after winning their 10th in Rabat last year, enter as holders and top-ranked contenders, while South Africa, Morocco, Ghana and Zambia are also highlighted among the leading challengers.