The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) kicks off in Morocco on Sunday with qualification for the World Cup and a record two-million-dollar first prize on the line.
A record 16-nation team, an increase from 12 in the previous edition—will participate, with 10-time titleholders and reigning champions Nigeria being the squad to beat.
The Super Falcons’ last success was amazing. Morocco led by two goals at halftime, but they rallied, with Jennifer Echegini scoring the late winner for a 3-2 victory.
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Echegini will return to compete for another gold medal in Africa’s two-yearly showcase of women’s football, which Morocco will host for the third tournament in a row.
Esther Okoronkwo, based in Canada, and fellow forward Folashade Ijamilusi, who plays in China, scored the other Nigerian goals in the final and will be vying for further glory.
Nigeria coach Justine Madugu told reporters that the Falcons’ first aim is to reach the semi-finals and secure one of Africa’s four automatic World Cup spots.
“Our second goal is to defend the trophy and bring it back to Nigeria. We know it will not be easy because every other nation wants to depose us,” he said.
“We have in our possession something precious that everybody else wants. However, we will remain resolute and focused and try to achieve both objectives.”
Madugu has assembled a 25-strong roster with experience and youth from clubs as widely apart as Mexico, Israel, and China. There is also one Nigerian talent, goalkeeper Fatima Oloko of Abia Angels.
There is one significant absence from the 2024-winning group. Ashleigh Plumptre, an English defender who plays for the Saudi club Al Ittihad, is injured.
Echegini’s PSG teammate, midfielder Rasheedat Ajibade, will captain the team, which also includes Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, often regarded as the greatest in Africa.
The winners and runners-up from the four mini-leagues go to the quarterfinals, where Nigeria is in Group C against powerhouse Zambia, organized Egypt, and debutants Malawi.
Zambian Racheal Kundananji transferred from Madrid CFF to American team Bay FC in 2024 for a then-world record fee, while fellow forward Barbra Banda is a prolific scorer.
Malawi may be the underdogs, but they have exceptional forwards in the Chawinga sisters. Tabitha plays for Lyon, while Temwa represents the Kansas City Current.
Since 1998, there have been 13 WAFCON tournaments, with only Equatorial Guinea and South Africa proclaimed champions, aside from Nigeria.
Equatorial Guinea did not qualify this time, but South Africa is the top seed in Group B, where they will face Tanzania, the Ivory Coast, and Burkina Faso.
Morocco, which lost to Nigeria and South Africa as hosts in the last two championships, will compete in Group A alongside Algeria, Senegal, and Kenya.
Given the very poor political relations between Morocco and Algeria, the match on July 30 could be violent.
This long-standing rivalry centers on the contested, phosphate-rich territory of Western Sahara, as well as past border conflicts.
Group D includes 2024 bronze medalists Ghana, three-time runners-up Cameroon, and newcomers Cape Verde, who seek to captivate Africa like the senior men’s squad did in the 2026 World Cup.
Three stadiums in Rabat, the capital, and two in Casablanca, the commercial hub, will host 34 games, including two meetings between quarter-final losers for intercontinental World Cup play-off spots.
