ABUJA, Nigeria (FN) — Twelve nations have officially qualified for the 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with Nigeria and South Africa leading the charge toward continental glory and World Cup qualification.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed the final lineup Wednesday following two rounds of qualifiers. Host nation Morocco, runners-up in the last two editions, will once again seek their first title, hoping to capitalize on home support after narrowly losing 2–1 to South Africa in the 2022 final.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons, ten-time champions, remain the tournament favorites as they chase an 11th crown. Ghana, who finished third in the last edition, return with renewed ambition, while South Africa and Zambia continue to solidify their status as top contenders.
The 2026 edition will also feature historic debuts from Cape Verde and Malawi, both qualifying for the finals for the first time. Kenya and Burkina Faso make their return after years away from the tournament, adding depth to the competition.
Senegal, Algeria, and Tanzania round out the list of qualified teams, each securing their spots with convincing performances. The growing parity across the continent signals a new era of competitiveness in African women’s football.
The stakes are high: the four semi-finalists will earn automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, while two additional teams will advance to the intercontinental play-offs. With every match carrying global implications, the 2026 WAFCON promises to be one of the most thrilling editions yet.
CAF has not yet released the official tournament schedule, but anticipation is building across Africa as fans prepare to rally behind their national teams.
