National Teams
FIFA confirms 2026 Women’s AFCON dates after CAF’s request
By Dayo Awoniyi
FIFA has officially announced that the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) will be held in Morocco from March 17 to April 3, 2026, following a formal request from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The tournament’s schedule was confirmed through a FIFA Council press release on Thursday, setting the stage for what promises to be another landmark event on the African women’s football calendar.
The 2026 WAFCON will feature 12 teams battling for continental supremacy and will double as the qualification pathway for Africa’s representatives at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Morocco, as hosts, automatically qualify, while the remaining 11 spots will be decided through ongoing qualification matches.
This announcement comes ahead of the rescheduled 2024 WAFCON, also to be hosted by Morocco this December, where Nigeria is the defending champion after a thrilling victory over the hosts, and South Africa secured third place.
With the final rounds of qualification scheduled to commence later this month, several key matchups are drawing attention, including South Africa’s upcoming clashes with the Democratic Republic of Congo as the Banyana Banyana aim to secure a return to the global stage.
Morocco continues to establish itself as a premier destination for African football, having hosted major events such as the CAF Women’s Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup in recent years.
As preparations intensify, all eyes are on the continent’s best teams to deliver a memorable WAFCON tournament that will crown Africa’s champion and determine its representatives for the world’s biggest stage in women’s football.
