WAFCON 2026: Who Will Be Harambee Starlets’ Opponents?

Harambee Starlets will have to contend with some tough opposition at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations given the calibre of the qualified teams.

Harambee Starlets joined elite company when they qualified for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2026).

Kenya completed the job when they beat The Gambia 1-0 in the second leg of their final round of qualifiers on Tuesday to win the tie 4-1 on aggregate following a 3-1 first leg victory in Nairobi last week.

That saw the Harambee Starlets return to the continental competition after a nine-year wait, having last been there in 2016 when it was their first time.

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At WAFCON 2026, Kenya will face some of the continents’ top sides while there are a number of sides making their WAFCON debut.

Africa’s Big Four Make it to WAFCON 2026

Leading the charge are record 10-time champions Nigeria, who will be looking for an 11th crown in Morocco next year, after lifting the 2024 crown following a win over the hosts in July this year.

The Super Falcons beat Benin 3-1 on aggregate to seal their place, after a 2-0 first leg win, before drawing the return match 1-1.

Hosts Morocco were assured of their place because they will stage the tournament while South Africa also made it through after beating DR Congo 2-1 on aggregate and will be looking to reclaim the title they won in 2022, after finishing a disappointing fourth in 2024.

Ghana, third in 2024, and Zambia, who will be making a fourth straight appearance and a fifth overall, are among the top teams set for next year’s tournament.

Who Are the Other Qualified Nations?

Meanwhile, Senegal, Algeria and Tanzania, who were at the 2022 edition, are making a return while Burkina Faso, who missed the 2024, are coming back since their last appearance in 2022.

There has also been a historic first time qualification for Cape Verde, who emulated their male counterparts by writing their own bit of history.

Cape Verde’s male team qualified for the 2026 World Cup for the first time in their history and their female counterparts joined them by sealing qualification to WAFCON 2026.

Harambee Starlets Stare at Nightmare Draw

Also sealing their maiden WAFCON appearance are Malawi, who complete the 12-team lineup at next year’s tournament.

Kenya are among the lowest ranked teams on the continent which means they will likely land a tough draw with Nigeria, Morocco, South, Ghana and Zambia among the teams they will have to contend with in their group.

WAFCON 2026 also holds greater significance as it will act as the World Cup qualifiers given the top four teams will qualify for the 2027 tournament in Brazil.

WAFCON 2026 All Qualified Teams

Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco (host country), Nigeria, Malawi, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia.