Women's AFCON: the countries that have never lifted the trophy

Fourteen out of sixteen participants in the 2026 edition will be chasing their first continental crown

Africa 25 July 2026 at 10:30

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Women's AFCON: the countries that have never lifted the trophy

The 2026 Women's AFCON could see the birth of a new champion: fourteen of the sixteen teams in the running have yet to get their hands on the continental trophy.

The winners' circle at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations remains exceptionally exclusive. Since the introduction of the final phase in 1998, only three nations have claimed the title: Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and South Africa.

Of the teams competing in the 2026 Women's AFCON, only Nigeria and South Africa already have the trophy in their cabinet. Equatorial Guinea, a two-time African champion, did not qualify.

The 14 nations still searching for a first title

Group A

Morocco
Algeria
Senegal
Kenya

Group B

Ivory Coast
Burkina Faso
Tanzania

Group C

Zambia
Egypt
Malawi

Group D

Ghana
Cameroon
Mali
Cape Verde

These fourteen nations make up 87.5% of the teams in the competition. This unusually high proportion is largely due to the expansion of the tournament to 16 participants, up from 12 in the previous two editions.

Morocco, Ghana, and Cameroon have already come close to glory

Three of these teams know the pain of a lost final. Ghana have fallen at the last hurdle three times to Nigeria—in 1998, 2002, and 2006. Cameroon have also suffered three defeats to the Super Falcons, in 2004, 2014, and 2016.

Morocco are the most recent contender to have come within touching distance of the trophy. The Atlas Lionesses reached the last two finals, losing to South Africa in 2022 and then to Nigeria in 2024. The full list of Women's AFCON finals further highlights Nigeria's remarkable dominance over the competition.

A first-ever title for any of these fourteen teams would see a fourth nation added to the roll of honour. However, to break into this highly exclusive club, they'll need to dethrone Nigeria—the reigning champions and winners of ten out of the thirteen tournaments held since 1998.