The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced that the final draw for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) will be held in Rabat, Morocco, on January 15, 2026. This highly anticipated ceremony will define the group stages for what is set to be the largest edition of the tournament in history, following a recent decision to expand the field to 16 participating nations.
The draw is scheduled to commence at 14:00 local time at a ceremony that will also serve as a high-profile platform for individual accolades. In an official statement released via its digital channels, CAF confirmed that the event will include the presentation of the 2025 Women’s Awards categories that were previously postponed. These include the CAF Women’s Coach of the Year, the Interclub Player of the Year, and the Women’s Club of the Year.
This edition of WAFCON represents a pivotal moment for women’s sports on the continent. By increasing the number of finalists from 12 to 16, CAF aims to broaden the competitive landscape. To fill the four additional slots created by the expansion, the governing body utilized a selection mechanism based on FIFA World Rankings, awarding spots to Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Egypt—the highest-ranked teams among those initially eliminated in the final qualifying round.
CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe has frequently highlighted the continent's rising trajectory in the global game. Speaking previously on the "golden period" of African football, Dr Motsepe noted that the success of nations like Morocco on the world stage demonstrates that African football is world-class. He emphasised that building infrastructure and investing in women's football are essential pillars for ensuring the continent remains competitive at the highest levels.
The 16 teams entering the draw include host nation Morocco and defending champions Nigeria, who secured their spot by defeating Benin in the qualifying stages. They are joined by a diverse field featuring Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia, alongside the four newly added nations. For Malawi and Cape Verde, the 2026 finals will mark their historic first appearance in the flagship competition.
The stakes for the upcoming tournament are exceptionally high, as WAFCON 2026 serves as the primary qualifying route for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The top four finishers in Morocco will earn direct qualification, while two additional teams will advance to the inter-confederation playoffs, offering Africa a potential six slots on the world stage.
The tournament is scheduled to take place from March 17 to April 3, 2026. According to CAF, the expansion is part of a strategic vision to "strengthen the competitiveness and development of women’s football", providing more opportunities for member associations to showcase their talent. As the draw approaches, the eyes of the football world remain fixed on Rabat to see how the path to continental glory—and global qualification—will be paved.
