WAFCON 2025: Nigeria in Group C, to face Zambia
Reigning champion Nigeria will meet Zambia again, while Morocco will face Algeria in a North African derby in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) group stage.
The Super Falcons beat Zambia 5-0 and Morocco 2-1 in last year’s final in Rabat, winning their 10th Wafcon title. In 2026, Nigeria will play Zambia, Egypt, and debutants Malawi in Group C.
Morocco, hosting for the third consecutive time, will play Algeria, Senegal, and Kenya in Group A.
Other groups:
Group B: South Africa, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Tanzania
Group D: Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, Cape Verde
The top four teams will qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. Losing quarter-finalists will compete for two more spots through an inter-confederation playoff.
CAF expanded the tournament from 12 to 16 teams midway through qualification. Teams like Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Mali, and Egypt qualified based on world rankings despite losing their second-round matches.
Wafcon 2026 will run from 17 March to 3 April, slightly shorter than the 2024 edition. Matches will be held in Rabat, Casablanca, and Fes.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe said he wants to increase both prize money and salaries for female players. Nigeria earned $1m for winning last year, while the men’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations champions will get $10m.
Motsepe also gave three women’s football awards for 2025:
• Club of the Year: AS FAR
• Coach of the Year: Lamia Boumehdi (TP Mazembe)
• Interclub Player of the Year: Sanaa Mssoudy (AS FAR, Morocco)
Wafcon 2026 Group Draw:
Group A: Morocco (hosts), Algeria, Senegal, Kenya – Rabat
Group B: South Africa, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Tanzania – Rabat
Group C: Nigeria (holders), Zambia, Egypt, Malawi – Casablanca
Group D: Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, Cape Verde – Fes
