WAFCON 2026: Benin to host Super Falcons in final qualifier showdown

By Oluwadamilola Olaleye

The race to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco is set for a dramatic climax in October, with nine-time champions Nigeria’s Super Falcons squaring off against Benin Republic in a decisive double-header qualifier.

Benin will play hosts in the first leg between October 20–28 at a yet-to-be-confirmed CAF-approved venue, before the Falcons welcome their West African neighbours for the return leg in Nigeria.

Benin booked their place in this final qualifying round after outclassing Sierra Leone 5–2 on aggregate, with both ties played on neutral ground due to stadium approval issues. The Squirrels edged a 2–1 win in Togo before sealing qualification with a 3–1 victory in Monrovia.

For the Falcons, the tie represents a crucial step in defending their continental crown and keeping alive hopes of reaching the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The top four finishers at WAFCON 2026 will qualify directly for the World Cup, while Africa has two additional playoff spots available via the intercontinental tournament.

Aside from Nigeria’s clash, other heavyweight duels light up the final qualification stage. Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses, conspicuously absent from the last WAFCON, face a tricky test against Algeria, while Egypt and Ghana lock horns in what promises to be one of the round’s fiercest battles.

Looking further ahead, FIFA has confirmed that the Women’s World Cup will expand to 48 teams from the 2031 edition, with the United States and Mexico set to co-host the historic tournament.

WAFCON 2026 Final Round Qualifiers

• Angola vs Malawi

• DR Congo vs South Africa

• Tanzania vs Ethiopia

• Namibia vs Zambia

• Burkina Faso vs Togo

• Algeria vs Cameroon

• Egypt vs Ghana

• Kenya vs Gambia

• Benin Republic vs Nigeria

• Cape Verde vs Mali

• Senegal vs Côte d’Ivoire

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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