WAFCON 2026 Full Schedule and Fixtures: Women's Football News
The WAFCON 2026 full schedule and fixtures are finally underway, with Morocco hosting the biggest edition of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations in the competition's history. Sixteen teams, five venues, and a direct path to next year's FIFA Women's World Cup are all on the line over the next three weeks. Here's everything you need, the groups, the schedule, the key dates, and what's genuinely at stake.
Tournament Overview
|
Host |
Morocco (third consecutive edition — a first in WAFCON history) |
|
Dates |
26 July – 16 August 2026 |
|
Teams |
16 (expanded from 12 for the first time) |
|
Venues |
5, across Rabat (3) and Casablanca (2) |
|
Defending champions |
Nigeria (record 10 titles) |
WAFCON 2026 Groups
|
Group |
Host City |
Teams |
|
Group A |
Rabat |
Morocco (hosts), Algeria, Senegal, Kenya |
|
Group B |
Casablanca |
South Africa, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Tanzania |
|
Group C |
Rabat |
Nigeria (holders), Zambia, Egypt, Malawi |
|
Group D |
Casablanca |
Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, Cape Verde |
Key Schedule Dates
|
Stage |
Dates |
|
Group stage |
26 July – 6 August |
|
Quarter-finals |
8–9 August |
|
Semi-finals |
12–13 August |
|
Final |
16 August, Rabat |
All group-stage kickoffs fall into two standard daily slots, 17:00 GMT (18:00 BST) and 20:00 GMT (21:00 BST), except for the final itself, in Morocco local time (GMT+1).
Opening Fixtures and Results So Far
|
Date |
Fixture |
Venue |
Result |
|
26 July |
Algeria vs Senegal |
Olympic Stadium, Rabat |
Algeria won 2-0 |
|
26 July |
Morocco vs Kenya |
Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat |
Morocco won 4-0 |
|
28 July |
Nigeria vs Malawi |
Al Madina Stadium, Rabat |
Upcoming |
Every team plays its first group match by 29 July, with the group stage running through to 6 August before the top two in each group advance to the quarter-finals.
The Stakes: A Direct Road to Brazil 2027
Beyond continental bragging rights, WAFCON 2026 is Africa's main qualification pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil. The four semi-finalists qualify for the World Cup automatically.
The four losing quarter-finalists aren't eliminated from qualification entirely, they enter an additional play-off round for two further African slots in a global 10-team inter-confederation play-off tournament, meaning as many as six African nations could ultimately reach Brazil through this competition.
Storylines to Watch
- Can Morocco finally win at home? The hosts have been runners-up in each of their last two home editions. A third straight final on home soil would put real pressure on finally getting over the line.
- Nigeria's record title defence: The Super Falcons already hold a record 10 WAFCON titles and are chasing an 11th, having won the delayed 2024 edition 3-2 against Morocco in the final.
- Can anyone break the Nigeria-Morocco duopoly? Since 1998, only Equatorial Guinea (twice) and South Africa (once) have denied Nigeria the title, and Equatorial Guinea failed to qualify for this edition, leaving the door open for a new name to emerge.
How to Bet on WAFCON 2026
- Match winner: Back a team in any group-stage or knockout fixture via the soccer matches page at Sportsbet.io.
- Outright winner: With Nigeria and Morocco the clear favourites, check the soccer outright odds page for the latest tournament-winner pricing.
- In-play betting: Follow matches live and bet as they unfold via the soccer in-play page.
Odds move quickly as the group stage develops, so treat any figure here as a snapshot and check live pricing before you bet.
Responsible Gambling
WAFCON 2026 runs for three weeks, and it's easy to get swept up in a long tournament with daily fixtures. If you choose to bet on any of these matches, set a budget in advance and stick to it, treat betting as entertainment rather than a way to make money, and never chase losses across the group stage hoping to win them back in a later match. Sportsbet.io provides tools to help you set deposit limits, session time limits, and self-exclusion options if you ever need them. If you or someone you know is struggling to control their gambling, support is available through the responsible gambling page at Sportsbet.io.
FAQs: WAFCON 2026
When does WAFCON 2026 start and finish?
The tournament runs from 26 July to 16 August 2026, with the final taking place in Rabat.
How many teams are competing in WAFCON 2026?
Sixteen, the first time the tournament has been expanded from its previous 12-team format.
How many teams qualify for the World Cup from WAFCON?
Four teams qualify automatically by reaching the semi-finals, with two further African slots available through an additional play-off round leading into a global inter-confederation play-off tournament.
Who has won the most WAFCON titles?
Nigeria, with a record 10 titles, including the most recent 2024 edition. Only Equatorial Guinea and South Africa have won it otherwise since 1998.
Where is WAFCON 2026 being played?
Across five venues in Morocco, split between Rabat (three venues) and Casablanca (two venues).
Where can I bet on WAFCON 2026?
You can check live odds and betting markets on the soccer matches page and the soccer outright odds page at Sportsbet.io.
Three Weeks, Sixteen Teams, One Trophy
With a home nation chasing history and defending champions Nigeria looking to extend their dominance, WAFCON 2026 has all the makings of a genuinely compelling tournament. Check the latest odds on the soccer outright odds page, follow every fixture on the soccer matches page, and see the current promotions available at Sportsbet.io.
Please gamble responsibly. If you'd like support setting limits or taking a break, visit the responsible gambling page.
