Women's Football: Women's Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Morocco

What the report says

France24 Africa reports that the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations begins in Morocco on Sunday, July 26, with the continent’s leading women’s national teams competing for both the African title and qualification linked to the next World Cup. The tournament also carries what France24 describes as a record first prize of $2 million.

This edition features 16 countries, an increase from the 12-team format used at the previous WAFCON. The larger field points to the continued growth of women’s football on the continent and gives more national teams a place in Africa’s top women’s competition.

Nigeria enter as the major benchmark. France24 identifies the Super Falcons as defending champions and 10-time winners, making them the side other contenders will be trying to dislodge. Their record gives the tournament a clear competitive storyline as the expanded field opens in Morocco.

Additional context: WAFCON is the Confederation of African Football’s flagship women’s national team tournament and is one of the most visible stages for elite women players in Africa. The combination of an expanded line-up, World Cup qualification stakes and increased prize money makes the 2026 edition important not only for the teams involved, but also for investment, visibility and standards in the women’s game across the region.