Women's AFCON 2026: Groups, schedule, favorites... The complete tournament guide
The Africa Women’s Cup of Nations will take place from July 26 to August 16, 2026, in Morocco. Here’s all the key information you need about the competition.
This edition was originally scheduled from March 17 to April 3, but was postponed by the Confederation of African Football—at the request of the host nation, Morocco—just days before kickoff.
An Algeria–Senegal showdown to open the tournament
The opening match of this edition will see two teams from outside the host nation go head-to-head. Algeria will take on Senegal on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at 18:00 local time (17:00 GMT) at Rabat’s Olympic Stadium.
The host nation, also in Group A, will make its tournament debut later that evening against Kenya, at 21:00 local time (20:00 GMT) at Rabat’s Moulay El Hassan Stadium.
The favorites: Nigeria... and the challengers
Among the 16 qualified teams, Nigeria remains the clear favorite. The Super Falcons are defending champions after overturning Morocco in last year’s final (3-2), and have already claimed 12 out of 15 possible titles.
South Africa, ranked second on the continent, is the only team apart from Nigeria to have lifted the trophy among the current qualifiers. Under Desiree Ellis, the Banyana Banyana will be looking to upset the odds and capture the crown.
Other contenders capable of challenging for the title include hosts Morocco, who finished runners-up in the last two editions, as well as Zambia, Algeria, and Senegal.
Four tickets to the 2027 World Cup
This tournament carries double stakes. Alongside the quest for continental glory, it also serves as qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The four semi-finalists from the 16 competing teams will represent Africa at the World Cup in Brazil.
The group stage draw
The 16 teams have been split into four groups of four. The top two from each group will advance to the quarter-finals.
Group A (Rabat): Morocco – Algeria – Senegal – Kenya
Group B (Casablanca): South Africa – Ivory Coast – Burkina Faso – Tanzania
Group C (Rabat): Nigeria – Zambia – Egypt – Malawi
Group D (Casablanca): Ghana – Cameroon – Mali – Cape Verde
Venues for the tournament
Morocco has selected five stadiums across two cities for this edition. Unlike the previous tournament, Berkane, Mohammedia, and Oujda are no longer in the plans to host matches. Here are the five venues:
• Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat
• Olympic Stadium, Rabat
• Al Medina Stadium, Rabat
• Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca
• Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca
Tournament schedule (All times GMT)
Matchday 1
Sunday, July 26
Algeria vs Senegal, 17:00 (Group A)
Morocco vs Kenya, 20:00 (Group A)
Monday, July 27
South Africa vs Tanzania, 17:00 (Group B)
Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso, 20:00 (Group B)
Tuesday, July 28
Zambia vs Egypt, 17:00 (Group C)
Nigeria vs Malawi, 20:00 (Group C)
Wednesday, July 29
Ghana vs Cape Verde, 17:00 (Group D)
Cameroon vs Mali, 20:00 (Group D)
Matchday 2
Thursday, July 30
Senegal vs Kenya, 17:00 (Group A)
Morocco vs Algeria, 20:00 (Group A)
Friday, July 31
South Africa vs Ivory Coast, 17:00 (Group B)
Burkina Faso vs Tanzania, 20:00 (Group B)
Saturday, August 1
Egypt vs Malawi, 17:00 (Group C)
Nigeria vs Zambia, 20:00 (Group C)
Sunday, August 2
Ghana vs Cameroon, 17:00 (Group D)
Mali vs Cape Verde, 20:00 (Group D)
Matchday 3
Monday, August 3
Kenya vs Algeria, 17:00 (Group A)
Senegal vs Morocco, 20:00 (Group A)
Tuesday, August 4
Burkina Faso vs South Africa, 17:00 (Group B)
Tanzania vs Ivory Coast, 20:00 (Group B)
Wednesday, August 5
Egypt vs Nigeria, 17:00 (Group C)
Malawi vs Zambia, 20:00 (Group C)
Thursday, August 6
Cape Verde vs Cameroon, 17:00 (Group D)
Mali vs Ghana, 20:00 (Group D)
Quarter-finals (August 7–8)
Semi-finals (August 11)
Third-place playoff (August 15)
Final (August 16)
Africa
07 September 2026
Ballon d'Or
09 September 2026
World Cup 2026
09 September 2026
Africa
20 August 2026
Interviews
14 August 2026