The delayed 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations – Wafcon – finally launches on 26 July. Morocco hosts the 16‑team tournament, which was postponed only 12 days before kickoff. The event, now 12 months after the delayed 2024 edition, will feature 34 matches and culminate on 16 August.

The competition doubles as a qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The top two from each of the four groups progress to quarter‑finals, while the four losing quarter‑finalists contest inter‑continental play‑offs for two remaining spots. The semi‑finalists earn direct tickets to Brazil.

Matches are played in Rabat and Casablanca, using five stadiums – Moulay Hassan, Rabat Olympic, Al‑Medina, Larbi Zaouli, and Casablanca Moulay Rachid. Morocco’s home side, the Atlas Lionesses, will face rivals Algeria in Group A, while Nigeria – holders seeking an 11th title – and South Africa, winners in 2022, head Groups C and B respectively.

Opening fixtures include Algeria vs Senegal at 17:00 GMT, Morocco vs Kenya at 20:00 GMT, and South Africa vs Tanzania at 17:00 GMT. The schedule continues through 16 August, with all kick‑offs listed in GMT.