WAFCON 2026 Fixtures Released: Super Falcons Return to Morocco to Defend African Crown

The countdown to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is officially on after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) released the tournament’s full fixture list.

Sixteen of Africa’s best teams will converge on Morocco for the continent’s biggest women’s football event, with more than just the championship trophy at stake. The tournament also serves as Africa’s qualification pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, where the four quarterfinal winners will qualify automatically, while the four losing quarterfinalists will compete for two places in the inter-confederation play-offs.

For Nigeria, the stakes are even higher. The Super Falcons return as defending champions after completing the famous Mission X in Morocco, coming from two goals down to beat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the 2024 final and lift a record-extending 10th continental title. Now, they begin the journey towards an unprecedented 11th crown.

WAFCON 2026 Group Stage Fixtures (WAT)

Group A: Morocco 🇲🇦, Algeria 🇩🇿, Senegal 🇸🇳, Kenya 🇰🇪

Matchday 1 (26 July 2026)

• 🇩🇿 vs 🇸🇳 | 6:00 PM

• 🇲🇦 vs 🇰🇪 | 9:00 PM

Matchday 2 (30 July 2026)

• 🇸🇳 vs 🇰🇪 | 6:00 PM

• 🇲🇦 vs 🇩🇿 | 9:00 PM

Matchday 3 (3 August 2026)

• 🇰🇪 vs 🇩🇿 | 9:00 PM

• 🇸🇳 vs 🇲🇦 | 9:00 PM

Group B: South Africa 🇿🇦, Côte d’Ivoire 🇨🇮, Burkina Faso 🇧🇫, Tanzania 🇹🇿

Matchday 1 (27 July 2026)

• 🇿🇦 vs 🇹🇿 | 6:00 PM

• 🇨🇮 vs 🇧🇫 | 9:00 PM

Matchday 2 (31 July 2026)

• 🇿🇦 vs 🇨🇮 | 6:00 PM

• 🇧🇫 vs 🇹🇿 | 9:00 PM

Matchday 3 (4 August 2026)

• 🇧🇫 vs 🇿🇦 | 9:00 PM

• 🇹🇿 vs 🇨🇮 | 9:00 PM

Group C: Nigeria 🇳🇬, Zambia 🇿🇲, Malawi 🇲🇼, Egypt 🇪🇬

Matchday 1 (28 July 2026)

• 🇿🇲 vs 🇪🇬 | 6:00 PM

• 🇳🇬 vs 🇲🇼 | 9:00 PM

Matchday 2 (1 August 2026)

• 🇪🇬 vs 🇲🇼 | 6:00 PM

• 🇳🇬 vs 🇿🇲 | 9:00 PM

Matchday 3 (5 August 2026)

• 🇪🇬 vs 🇳🇬 | 9:00 PM

• 🇲🇼 vs 🇿🇲 | 9:00 PM

Group D: Ghana 🇬🇭, Cape Verde 🇨🇻, Cameroon 🇨🇲, Mali 🇲🇱

Matchday 1 (29 July 2026)

• 🇬🇭 vs 🇨🇻 | 6:00 PM

• 🇨🇲 vs 🇲🇱 | 9:00 PM

Matchday 2 (2 August 2026)

• 🇬🇭 vs 🇨🇲 | 6:00 PM

• 🇲🇱 vs 🇨🇻 | 9:00 PM

Matchday 3 (6 August 2026)

• 🇲🇱 vs 🇬🇭 | 9:00 PM

• 🇨🇻 vs 🇨🇲 | 9:00 PM

More Than a Continental Title

This year’s WAFCON carries enormous significance beyond lifting the trophy.

Africa has four automatic places at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. That means every team reaching the semifinals will book a place, while the beaten quarterfinalists will get another chance through the inter-confederation play-offs.

Super Falcons Return to Familiar Territory

Morocco holds special memories for Nigeria.

It was there that the Super Falcons silenced a capacity crowd in Rabat, overturning a two-goal deficit against the hosts to complete Mission X and reclaim the African title. That dramatic triumph made Nigeria the first nation to win 10 WAFCON titles, extending a record no other country has come close to matching.

Now, the same country provides the stage for another historic mission.

Nigeria have been drawn in a competitive Group C alongside Zambia, Malawi and Egypt. Zambia, led by one of Africa’s most exciting generations, are expected to provide the biggest test, while Egypt and tournament debutants Malawi will be eager to upset the defending champions.

For Justin Madugu’s side, the objective is clear: defend the African crown, more importantly secure qualification for Brazil 2027 and continue writing new chapters in the Super Falcons’ remarkable legacy.