Everything You Need to Know About WAFCON 2026

Africa’s most prestigious women’s soccer tournament is finally underway, and it’s ready to showcase some world-class talent and fierce competition. Here is everything you need to know before getting your bets in, including how it started, dates, teams, stadiums, and more.  

WAFCON 2026 is running from 26 July to 16 August in Morocco, making the country the first to ever host three consecutive WAFCON tournaments (following 2022 and 2024). After the original start date in March being postponed for several months, the 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) kicked off this past Sunday, 26 July, with a showstopper game between Algeria and Senegal, with Algeria taking home the win with two goals to none. 

It’s worth noting that there’s plenty riding on this competition this year, as the four semi-finalists qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The four beaten semi-finalists get another chance to qualify through additional knockouts. So, it’s safe to say that there is a lot at stake. 

What is the WAFCON Tournament Format? 

WAFCON will be held in a round-robin format, with each team getting a chance to play the other three teams in their group. Each team gets three points for a win, one for a draw, and none for a loss. The top two teams from each group advance into the next stage, the quarterfinals.  

The remaining eight teams will go head-to-head with each other through typical knockout games until the finalists remain for that last match on Sunday, 16 July. There will also be a third-place play-off on Saturday, 15 August, between the two losing semi-finalists.

WAFCON 2026 Teams & Groups 

For the first time, the tournament has been expanded from its usual 12 teams to 16, showcasing just how fast women’s soccer popularity is growing across the continent. That means more group-stage drama, more potential underdog stories, and plenty more entertainment. 

The 16 teams are split into four competing groups. Here’s a quick breakdown: 

• 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 

WAFCON Venues: Where is the Tournament Being Held? 

The tournament is being played across five confirmed different stadiums in two incredible Moroccan cities, Rabat and Casablanca. One venue has yet to be confirmed, but currently it seems to be a toss-up between Moulay El Hassan Stadium or Prince Mouley Abdellah Stadium in Rabat (which hosted last year’s men’s AFCON final). Either way, the venue will be an incredible spectacle, but for now let’s have a look at the five confirmed venues: 

• Moulay El Hassan Stadium (capacity: 22,000) – Rabat 

• Olympic Stadium (capacity: 21,000) – Rabat 

• Al Medina Stadium (capacity: 18,000) – Rabat 

• Larbi Zaouli Stadium (capacity: 20,000) – Casablanca   

• Moulay Rachid Stadium (capacity: 25,000) – Casablanca 

WAFCON 2026 Schedule & Kick-off Times 

So, when can you expect to watch each match? Here’s a look at the schedule and tournament times so you can plan your days and catch the action live.

Who Are the Favourites to Win? 

It’s no surprise that Nigeria’s Super Falcons are the likely favourites. They will arrive at the tournament not only as the defending champions but also as the tournament’s most decorated team, with 10 WAFCON titles to their name.  

Only two teams other than Nigeria have managed to secure tournament wins in the past, so it’s worth singing their praises. Equatorial Guinea (not participating this year) has two titles from 2008 and 2012, and South Africa’s Banyana Banyana has one title from 2022. So, there’s no doubt that Nigeria and South Africa have a great chance of taking home the victory this year. 

That said, we can’t count the other teams out just yet. Zambia and Ghana bring in some serious talent, with players like Evelyn Badu and Barbra Banda ready to light up the field. Morocco’s team will be bolstered by fans routing for them in the stands because nothing motivates a team quite like a home crowd.  

Players to Watch Out For 

Women’s soccer tournaments bring forward some of the best sporting talent on the continent. Though, even with so much skill on the field, there are always a few key platers that are worth a little extra attention, so here are a few to be on the lookout for: 

• Rasheedat Ajibade (Nigeria): Nigeria’s title defense leans heavily on Ajibade to unlock defenses from midfield, making her a key threat in every match she sets foot in. 

• Ghizlane Chebbak (Morocco): Morocco’s captain was the top scorer at WAFCON 2024, and a big tournament on home soil could turn her into the story of the summer. 

• Barbra Banda & Racheal Kundananji (Zambia): These two powerhouses might be the single most dangerous attacking partnership in the tournament. Both play their club football at the highest level and have a knack for turning things around when the odds are stacked against them.

Bet on WAFCON with bet.co.za 

With 16 teams, a stacked field of talent, and a direct route to Brazil 2027 on the line, WAFCON 2026 has all the right ingredients for a genuinely unpredictable tournament from the group stage right through to the final. 

Ready to back your pick? Head over to bet.co.za for odds, predictions, and betting tips throughout this epic tournament.