The countdown is officially on. With just days to go before kick-off, the official schedule and match times for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) have been confirmed, as Morocco prepares to host the largest edition in the tournament’s history.
Running from July 26 to August 16, 2026, the continental showpiece will bring together 16 national teams for the first time ever, marking a new era for women’s football in Africa. Matches will be staged in Rabat and Casablanca, with both the opening match and the final taking place in the Moroccan capital.
Morocco Opens Its Campaign on Home Soil
The tournament will kick off on Sunday, July 26, at 6:00 p.m. local time (5:00 p.m. GMT) at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, where Algeria will face Senegal in the opening fixture.
Host nation Morocco will then make its highly anticipated debut later that evening, taking on Kenya at 9:00 p.m. local time (8:00 p.m. GMT) at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium.
Backed by passionate home support, the Atlas Lionesses will aim to begin their quest for a first continental title in front of their fans.
More Than an African Title at Stake
The stakes are particularly high at this year’s tournament. Alongside the coveted African championship trophy, teams will compete for qualification to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The eventual champions will also receive a US$1 million prize, underlining the growing investment and prestige of women’s football across the continent.
Key Dates to Remember
The group stage promises several blockbuster encounters, including Nigeria vs Zambia on August 1 and Ghana vs Cameroon on August 2.
The knockout phase begins with the quarter-finals on August 8 and 9, followed by the semi-finals in Rabat on August 12.
On August 13, Casablanca will host the crucial World Cup qualification play-off matches for the losing quarter-finalists, while the third-place match is scheduled for August 15 at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.
The tournament will culminate on Sunday, August 16, when the final kicks off at 8:00 p.m. local time in Rabat, where Africa’s new champions will be crowned.
Group Stage Draw
Group A (Rabat)
- Morocco
- Algeria
- Senegal
- Kenya
Group B (Casablanca)
- South Africa
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Burkina Faso
- Tanzania
Group C (Rabat)
- Nigeria
- Zambia
- Egypt
- Malawi
Group D (Casablanca)
- Ghana
- Cameroon
- Mali
- Cape Verde
A New Chapter for Morocco and African Women’s Football
Following the success of recent major international tournaments hosted by the Kingdom, Morocco is once again set to showcase its world-class sporting infrastructure and organizational expertise. With an expanded format, World Cup qualification on the line, and Africa’s top women’s teams competing for continental glory, WAFCON Morocco 2026 promises to be the biggest and most competitive edition in the history of the tournament.
