All you need to know about Wafcon 2026

The delayed 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations - also known as Wafcon - is finally ready for kick-off, with Morocco staging a third successive finals.

Originally scheduled to be held from 17 March to 3 April, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) postponed the tournament just 12 days before it was due to start.

This year's Wafcon, which comes only 12 months after the delayed 2024 edition, now begins on Sunday, 26 July when Algeria face Senegal in the opening game in Rabat (17:00 GMT).

Caf cited "unforeseen circumstances" for the delay, but the late change has afforded more time for the newly expanded 16-team tournament, which will feature 34 matches and culminates in the final on Sunday, 16 August.

This year's Wafcon is all the more important because it doubles up as a qualifier for the 2027 Fifa Women's World Cup, with all four semi-finalists securing a ticket for Brazil.

The four losing quarter-finalists will play off for two spots at an intercontinental qualifier.

So what are the key fixtures? What is the format? Where are matches being played and when do they kick off?

BBC Sport Africa provides you with all the key information about the 14th edition of Africa's biggest women's football event.

The 16 teams have been split into four groups of four.

Hosts Morocco have a North African derby against rivals Algeria in Group A as well as games against Senegal and Kenya, who return 10 years after making their only previous appearance.

Holders Nigeria, who are bidding for a record-extending 11th title after beating Morocco in last year's final, were placed in Group C alongside Zambia, the highest-ranked side in pot two in the draw, Egypt and debutants Malawi.

South Africa, winners in 2022, take on Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Tanzania in Group B.

In Group D, Ghana were paired with Cameroon and Mali - two sides who advanced to the finals on the strength of their world ranking - and the other first-timers taking part, Cape Verde.

The top two teams in each group go into the quarter-finals.

Group A: Morocco (hosts), Algeria, Senegal, Kenya.

Group B: South Africa, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Tanzania.

Group C: Nigeria (holders), Zambia, Egypt, Malawi.

The kick-off times will be at 17:00 GMT (18:00 BST) and 20:00 GMT (21:00 BST) throughout the tournament - with the exception of the final.

Quarter-finals will take place on 8 and 9 August, with both semi-finals following on 12 August.

The final will be on Sunday, 16 August at 19:00 GMT (20:00 BST).

Morocco used six stadiums spread across five cities to stage the tournament last year, but this time around five grounds in two cities are being used.

Games will be played in the capital Rabat and Casablanca, with Berkane, Mohammedia and Oujda discarded as venues.

Fes was originally due to host Group D, but the matches scheduled to be held at the Complexe Sportif de Fes have been shifted to Casablanca instead.

The three stadiums being used in Rabat also staged matches at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), with the North African nation carrying out several redevelopment projects as it prepares to co-host the 2030 Fifa World Cup.

The Atlas Lionesses will play their games at the Moulay Hassan Stadium, which will also stage a quarter-final and a semi-final.

The venue for the final is yet to be confirmed. It will either be the Moulay Hassan Stadium or the much larger Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, which hosted the Afcon final, with the latter likely to be chosen if Morocco progress to the final.

Of the 16 nations taking part, only Nigeria and South Africa have previously lifted the Wafcon trophy.

Nigeria's Super Falcons return to North Africa as both holders and the continent's top-ranked side, with a rich pedigree under homegrown coach Justin Madugu.

Chiamaka Nnadozie has been named Africa's best goalkeeper for the past three years while captain Rasheedat Ajibade was named most valuable player at the finals last July.

Morocco has invested heavily in footballing infrastructure in recent years but its women's side are yet to emulate the success of the country's men in becoming the top team in Africa.

The Atlas Lionesses have been runners-up at the past two editions and have a Women's World Cup winner in the dugout in Jorge Vilda, who guided Spain to the title in 2023.

South Africa, ranked second on the continent, still have the experienced Desiree Ellis in the dugout while Ghana, under Kim Bjorkegren, return fresh from their third-placed finish last July.

Zambia round out the likely contenders, although the Copper Queens were demolished 5-0 by Nigeria in last year's quarter-finals. They will look to skipper Barbra Banda, the 2024 BBC Women's Footballer of the Year , for inspiration.

It will be a big ask for any of the other sides to mount a serious challenge.

Group A: Algeria v Senegal, Olympic Stadium, Rabat, (17:00 GMT)

Group A: Morocco v Kenya, Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat, (20:00 GMT)

Group B: South Africa v Tanzania, Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca, (17:00 GMT)

Group B: Ivory Coast v Burkina Faso, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca, (20:00 GMT)

Group C: Zambia v Egypt, Olympic Stadium, (17:00 GMT)

Group C: Nigeria v Malawi, Al Medina Stadium, Rabat, (20:00 GMT)

Group D: Ghana v Cape Verde, Moulay Rachid Stadium, (17:00 GMT)

Group D: Cameroon vs Mali, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, (20:00 GMT)

Group A: Senegal v Kenya, Olympic Stadium, (17:00 GMT)

Group A: Morocco v Algeria, Moulay Hassan Stadium, (20:00 GMT)

Group B: South Africa v Ivory Coast, Moulay Rachid Stadium, (17:00 GMT)

Group B: Burkina Faso v Tanzania, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, (20:00 GMT)

Group C: Egypt v Malawi, Moulay Hassan Stadium, (17:00 GMT)

Group C: Nigeria v Zambia, Al Medina Stadium, (20:00 GMT)

Group D: Ghana v Cameroon, Moulay Rachid Stadium, (17:00 GMT)

Group D: Mali v Cape Verde, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, (20:00 GMT)

Group A: Senegal v Morocco, Moulay Hassan Stadium, (20:00 GMT)

Group A: Kenya v Algeria, Olympic Stadium, (20:00 GMT)

Group B: Burkina Faso v South Africa, Moulay Rachid Stadium, (20:00 GMT)

Group B: Tanzania v Ivory Coast, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, (20:00 GMT)

Group C: Egypt v Nigeria, Olympic Stadium, (20:00 GMT)

Group C: Malawi v Zambia, Al Medina Stadium, (20:00 GMT)

Group D: Mali v Ghana, Moulay Rachid Stadium, (20:00 GMT)

Group D: Cape Verde v Cameroon, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, (20:00 GMT)

QF 2: Winner Group B v Second Place Group A, Moulay Rachid Stadium, (17:00 GMT)

QF 1: Winner Group A v Second Place Group B, Moulay Hassan Stadium, (20:00 GMT)

QF 4: Winner Group D v Second Place Group C, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, (17:00 GMT)

QF 3: Winner Group C v Second Place Group D, Al Medina Stadium, (20:00 GMT)

SF2: Winner QF2 v Winner QF3, Olympic Stadium, (17:00 GMT)

SF1: Winner QF1 v Winner QF4, Moulay Hassan Stadium, (20:00 GMT)

Loser QF2 v Loser QF3, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, (17:00 GMT)

Loser QF1 v Loser QF4, Moulay Rachid Stadium, (20:00 GMT)

Loser SF1 v Loser SF2, Olympic Stadium, (17:00 GMT)

Winner SF1 v Winner SF2, Moulay Hassan Stadium or Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, (19:00 GMT)