* Starting with opening Group A Matchday on Sunday, July 26: Algeria v Senegal (Olympic Stadium, Rabat-19h00); and Morocco v Kenya (Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat-22h00)
* Scorchers on Tuesday, July 28 in Group C: Zambia v Egypt (Olympic Stadium-19h00); and Nigeria v Malawi (Al Medina Stadium, Rabat-22h00)
Maravi Express
As this year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAfCON) Morocco 2026 is all the more important because it doubles up as a qualifier for the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ 2027 with all four semi-finalists securing a ticket for Brazil, group leadership of each of the four will be determined on each Matchday.
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The tournament kicks off on Sunday, July 26 with Group A between Algeria and Senegal at Olympic Stadium in Rabat (19h00); and Morocco v Kenya at Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat (22h00).
Monday’s Group B has COSAFA side South Africa — winners in 2022 — up against CECAFA nation Tanzania at Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca (19h00); and West African derby between Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso at Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca, (22h00).
Malawi Scorchers debut appearance on Tuesday, July 28 in Group C will be up against 10-time champions Nigeria at Al Medina Stadium, Rabat from 22h00 after the encounter between fellow COSAFA side Zambia and North Africans Egypt at Olympic Stadium, (19h00).
On Wednesday, July 29, Group D leadership will be determined between Ghana and Cape Verde at Moulay Rachid Stadium (19h00) after the second match between Cameroon and Mali at Larbi Zaouli Stadium (22h00).
Two teams each will qualify for the semifinals, to automatically qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ Brazil 2027 while the four losing quarter-finalists will play off at the same tournament for two World Cup spots to be played at an intercontinental qualifiers.
Nigeria secured a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in Rabat, Morocco last July
Quarter-finals will take place on August 8-9, with both semi-finals following on August 12 while the final will be on Sunday, August 16 at 21h00.
Tournament favourites
Of the 16 nations taking part, only Nigeria and South Africa have previously lifted the WAfCON trophy — and the Super Falcons return to North Africa as both holders and the continent’s top-ranked side, with a rich pedigree under homegrown coach Justin Madugu.
Chiamaka Nnadozie has been named Africa’s best goalkeeper for the past three years while captain Rasheedat Ajibade was named most valuable player at the finals last July.
Morocco captain Ghizlane Chebbak (left) was the top scorer at WAfCON 2024 with five goals
Morocco has invested heavily in footballing infrastructure in recent years but its women’s side are yet to emulate the success of the country’s men in becoming the top team in Africa.
The Atlas Lionesses have been runners-up at the past two editions and have a Women’s World Cup winner in the dugout in coach Jorge Vilda, who guided Spain to the title in 2023.
South Africa, ranked second on the continent, still have the experienced Desiree Ellis in the dugout while Ghana, under Kim Bjorkegren, return fresh from their third-placed finish last July.
Zambia round out the likely contenders, although the Copper Queens were demolished 5-0 by Nigeria in last year’s quarter-finals. They will look to skipper for inspiration in captain Barbra Banda, the 2024 African Women’s Footballer of the Year, and the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year in the same year.
Zambia pair Racheal Kundananji (left) and Barbra Banda (right) both scored three goals in the group stage at WAfCON 2024, but the Copper Queens exited in the quarter-finals
All the kick-off times (CAT)
Group stages
Group A
Sunday, July 26
Algeria v Senegal (19h00)
Morocco v Kenya (22h00)
Group B
Monday, July 27
South Africa v Tanzania (19h00)
Côte d’Ivoire v Burkina Faso (22h00)
Group C
Tuesday July 28
Zambia v Egypt (19h00)
Nigeria v Malawi (22h00)
Group D
Wednesday, July 29
Ghana v Cape Verde (19h00)
Cameroon vs Mali (22h00)
Thursday, July 30
Group A
Senegal v Kenya (19h00)
Morocco v Algeria (22h00)
Friday, July 31
Group B
South Africa v Côte d’Ivoire (19h00)
Burkina Faso v Tanzania (22h00)
Saturday, August 1
Group C
Egypt v Malawi (19h00)
Nigeria v Zambia (22h00)
Sunday, August 2
Group D
Ghana v Cameroon (19h00)
Mali v Cape Verde (22h00)
Monday, August 3
Group A
Senegal v Morocco (22h00)
Kenya v Algeria (22h00)
Tuesday, August 4
Group B
Burkina Faso v South Africa (22h00)
Tanzania v Côte d’Ivoire (22h00)
Wednesday, August 5
Group C
Egypt v Nigeria (22h00)
Malawi v Zambia (22h00)
Thursday, August 6
Group D
Mali v Ghana (22h00)
Cape Verde v Cameroon (22h00)
Quarterfinals
Saturday, August 8
QF 2: Winner Group B v 2nd Place Group A (19h00)
QF 1: Winner Group A v 2nd Place Group B (22h00)
Sunday, August 9
QF 4: Winner Group D v 2nd Place Group C (19h00)
QF 3: Winner Group C v 2nd Place Group D (22h00)
Semifinals
Wednesday, August 12
SF2: Winner QF2 v Winner QF3 (19h00)
SF1: Winner QF1 v Winner QF4 (22h00)
World Cup 2027 play-off matches
Thursday, August 13
Loser QF2 v Loser QF3 (19h00)
Loser QF1 v Loser QF4 (22h00)
Third place play-off
Saturday, August 15
Loser SF1 v Loser SF2 (19h00)
WAfCON 2026 final
Sunday, August 16
Winner SF1 v Winner SF2, Moulay Hassan Stadium or Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, (21h00)
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