The Men’s World Cup has concluded, but football enthusiasts can look forward to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), which will take place from July 26 to August 16. This 34-match tournament follows the FIFA spectacle and precedes the European league season, making it a highly anticipated event on the sports calendar.
Timing of the Tournament
Originally, Wafcon was scheduled for March 17 to April 3 across three Moroccan cities: Rabat, Casablanca, and Fes. However, just 12 days before the kickoff, the tournament was postponed. The Confederation of African Football attributed this delay to “unforeseen circumstances,” although they did not clarify specific reasons, most notably omitting mention of travel disruptions related to ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts. According to Luxo September, the CAF’s communications director, Morocco requested a rescheduling for various unspecified reasons.
While South Africa offered to host the tournament, Morocco was ultimately granted a new date, resulting in a revised fixture list released on June 25. This schedule includes only Rabat and Casablanca as host cities. The tournament draw, however, has remained unchanged.
Several nations, including South Africa and Nigeria, have expressed frustration over the last-minute adjustments, particularly as they had already prepared through warm-up matches. This abrupt change also coincides with the conclusion of many players’ club seasons.
Tournament Format
This edition of Wafcon marks a significant expansion, featuring 16 teams—a jump from 12 in previous tournaments. However, the inclusion of the final four teams has raised eyebrows. These teams were only added after a qualification process that stretched from February to October 2025, with Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Mali, and Egypt selected based on their rankings.
Nadine Ghazi, a midfielder for Egypt, has openly questioned the legitimacy of their qualification but hopes to draw inspiration from the men’s team, which made it to the World Cup’s last 16 before being eliminated by Argentina.
Among the newcomers, Cape Verde is eager to leverage the men’s team’s impressive performance as motivation, alongside Malawi, another debut participant.
The teams are divided into four groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to the quarterfinals. Unlike previous tournaments, all matches will commence after 6 PM local time to avoid the sweltering heat.
Favorites to Win
Nigeria, historically the most successful team in Wafcon, aims to retain its title. Led by captain Rashidat Ajibade, the team will face a setback with defender Ashley Plumptre out due to a foot injury. The squad’s strength will rely on the talents of striker Asisat Oshoala and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nadozi.
Morocco, having finished as runners-up in the past two tournaments, is determined to elevate its performance, especially as this may be their last opportunity to host the tournament before its 2028 edition moves to a different location.
Strong contenders also include the 2022 champions South Africa, boasting a seasoned roster, and Zambia, who secured bronze in 2022 and reached the quarterfinals in 2025.
Notable Players to Watch
Malawi’s participation in Wafcon is notable, particularly with sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga taking center stage. Tabitha, the team captain, plays for European giants OL Lyon, while Temwa made waves as the NWSL MVP for two consecutive seasons with the Kansas City Current, earning recognition as one of the world’s top female players.
Local supporters will undoubtedly rally behind Moroccan captain Ghislaine Chebak, a two-time Golden Boot winner with eight goals in the tournament. This could potentially be her last major competition, making her quest for a trophy even more compelling.
In Zambia, NWSL stars Barbra Banda and Rachel Kundananzi each netted three goals in the last tournament but fell short of advancing further. This time, they aim to enhance Zambia’s position as a formidable force on the continent.
Ghana demonstrated significant improvement last year, reaching the semi-finals before narrowly losing to Morocco on penalties. Players to watch include forward Princess Marfo, who recently signed with PSV Eindhoven, and Evelyn Badu, fresh off a hat-trick with Montreal Roses.
Competition Incentives
The stakes are high for this tournament, with financial rewards and qualification for major competitions on the line. Prize money at the last Wafcon increased by 45%, with each participating team guaranteed at least $125,000, while Nigeria won $1 million. This year’s competition carries additional implications; the four semi-finalists will secure spots in the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. Furthermore, teams eliminated in the quarter-finals will engage in playoffs to compete for two additional spots in the inter-federation tournament.
