2026 WAFCON fact file: New structure, teams & World Cup progress route
Kenya’s Harambee Starlets sealed their berth in the upcoming 2026 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after edging The Gambia 4-1 on aggregate on Wednesday, October 28, 2025.
The feat saw the team coached by Beldine Odemba make history by breaking a nine-year wait, having last qualified for the games in 2016.
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The 2026 edition of the African Women’s Championship kicks off on March 17, 2026.
Following a 3-1 advantage from the first leg played in Nairobi on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, the ladies decisively finished the job at the Stade Lat Dior in Thiès, Senegal.
Just like Kenya, Malawi and Burkina Faso will be making their second appearances in the continental games after qualifying from the final rounds of qualifier matches.
Tanzania’s Twiga Stars edged Ethiopia in an East African rivalry to seal their slot.
Expanded structure
The championship in Morocco will be the 15th edition of the women’s continental games, which will see an increase in participating teams up to 16 participants.
This is after the Executive Committee of the Confédération of African Football (CAF) on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, approved the expansion from 12. Starting that the move would allow more nations to participate in African women’s football’s flagship competition, contributing to its continued growth and global reach.
Four teams, Cameroon, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, and Mali, joined the revised structure to join the teams that qualified directly from the rigorous qualification phase.
Following the draw conducted in January 2026, Kenya drew Algeria, hosts Morocco, and Senegal in a tough Group A.
Additionally, WAFCON also serves as the continental qualifier for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in Brazil.
The tournament will also serve as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) qualifying path for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
Four teams will reach the semifinal, earning a direct entry to the World Cup in a couple of years.
Additionally, the two best-ranked quarterfinalists will proceed to a playoff path to determine an additional winner to join the expected five slots reserved for African teams.
Key facts
Nigeria is the reigning champion and remains the most successful nation with 10 titles.
New trophy, new prize: The Super Falcons pick up Ksh129 million ($1m) in prize money—which has been doubled since the last edition—and become the first side to lift the new-look trophy.
South Africa, also known as the Banyana Banyana, won their first-ever title in 2022.
Hosts Morocco will host WAFCON for the second straight time after 2022.
Dates: March 17 to April 3, 2026.
Teams: Expanded to 16 teams (up from 12 in previous editions). Qualified teams include Morocco (hosts), Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Algeria, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Mali, Egypt, Cape Verde, and Malawi.
Format: 16 teams divided into four groups of four. The top two from each group advance to the quarter-finals, then knockout stages (semis, final, and third-place match).
Venues: Matches across Rabat (e.g., Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Al Medina Stadium/Prince Moulay Al Hassan), Casablanca, and Fez (multiple stadiums confirmed in these three cities).
