The males’s World Cup could have completed however don’t worry, the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) is prepared to choose up the place Spain and Argentina left off. The 34-match occasion will happen between 26 July and 16 August, which sandwiches it between football’s international showpiece and the start of the league season in Europe. Here’s your information to some of the underrated however fascinating occasions on the sporting calendar.
Why is it being performed now?
The event was scheduled to happen in three Moroccan cities – Rabat, Casablanca and Fes – between 17 March and three April. However, solely 12 days earlier than it was due to start it was postponed for what the Confederation of African Football known as “unforeseen circumstances”. Strangely, the battle within the Middle East, which affected a number of journey routes, was by no means cited as considered one of them. Caf’s communications director, Luxolo September, mentioned Morocco requested new dates “for a number of reasons”, none of which had been disclosed.
South Africa appeared to supply to host the event, earlier than Morocco was reconfirmed and a new window was introduced. A revised match checklist, which included solely two of the three authentic host cities, Rabat and Casablanca, was revealed on 25 June. The draw remained the identical.
Several groups, together with South Africa and Nigeria, expressed frustration on the late change, particularly as that they had already been enjoying warm-up matches in preparation for the event. Also, the change meant that, for a lot of gamers, they are going to be out of season.
What is the setup?
This is the primary time the event can be performed with 16 groups – up from 12 up to now two editions – however the inclusion of the ultimate 4 sides was unsatisfactory. They had been added to the event solely after the qualification course of, which ran from February to October 2025, had been accomplished. The 4 sides – Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali and Egypt – had been picked on rankings.
While the Egypt midfielder Nadine Ghazi admitted that the staff’s qualification was “different, if I can put it like that”, they hope to take inspiration from their males’s facet, who reached the World Cup final 16 earlier than dropping to Argentina.
Another staff that can be wanting to their male counterparts’ performances for motivation is Cape Verde, who’re considered one of two event debutants. Malawi are the opposite first-timers.
The groups are divided into 4 teams of 4. The high two sides from every group will progress to the quarter-finals. All matches kick off at 6pm or later native time, in contrast to the 2025 version, when some groups performed at 3pm in excessive mid-summer warmth.
Who are the favourites?
The competitors’s most profitable opponents, Nigeria, achieved “Mission X” and won their 10th Wafcon title in 2025, and it is tough to look previous them this time. They have retained the core of that squad, captained by Rasheedat Ajibade, however can be with out the defender Ashleigh Plumptre due to a foot damage. The striker Asisat Oshoala and the goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie headline their squad.
Morocco have been the runners-up up to now two editions and can be wanting to go one higher, particularly as this might be the final of their trio of residence tournaments. The 2028 Wafcon is set to be held elsewhere.
Other robust candidates are the 2022 champions, South Africa, who’ve an skilled squad, and Zambia, who had been bronze medallists in 2022 and quarter-finalists in 2025.
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Who are the most important stars?
Malawi will make their first Wafcon look, with many eyes on sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga. Tabitha, who will captain the facet, performs at European powerhouse OL Lyonnes, whereas Temwa is at Kansas City Current, the place she has been voted the NWSL’s MVP for 2 successive seasons. She was additionally the highest-ranked African participant on the Guardian’s 100 best female footballers in the world final 12 months in sixth place.
Local followers will get behind the Morocco captain, Ghizlane Chebbak, who has gained the Golden Boot on the previous two Wafcons, scoring eight occasions throughout these tournaments. At 35 years outdated, this can be her final major event and she or he won’t need to transfer on with out a trophy.
Zambia’s NWSL heavyweights Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji scored three objectives every on the final event however couldn’t take the staff previous the quarter-finals. Given their reputations the pair can be hoping to guarantee Zambia can proceed to improve their repute as severe continental challengers.
Ghana had been essentially the most improved facet final 12 months, after they misplaced to Morocco on penalties within the semi-final. Their ahead Princess Marfo, who just lately signed for PSV Eindhoven, and Evelyn Badu, contemporary off a hat-trick for Montreal Roses, are two to control.
What’s at stake?
In quick: cash and major event qualification. Prize cash on the final Wafcon elevated by 45% in complete, with every staff incomes not less than $125,000 (£94,000) and the winners, Nigeria, pocketing $1m. This time there is one thing else at stake too: the 4 semi-finalists will qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, whereas the 4 dropping quarter-finalists will play off to determine which two groups advance to the inter-confederation deciders.
