WAFCON 2026 Schedule in EAT: Groups, Fixtures and Kick-Off Times as Harambee Starlets Seek World Cup Slot

The 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is set to kick off in Morocco, which will host the continent's premier women's football tournament for the third consecutive time.

This edition follows just one year after the delayed 2024 finals, where Nigeria clinched a record-extending 10th title.

Originally slated for March, the tournament was postponed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) just 12 days before its scheduled start, with the governing body citing "unforeseen circumstances."

The competition now begins on Sunday, July 26, with Algeria taking on Senegal in the opening match in Rabat. The newly expanded 16-team format will feature 34 matches, culminating in the final on Sunday, 16 August.

This year's Wafcon carries added significance as it serves as the qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil. The four semi-finalists will automatically secure their spots, while the four losing quarter-finalists will enter a play-off for two places at an intercontinental qualifier.

The 16 participating nations have been drawn into four groups of four. Host nation Morocco is in Group A and will face a North African derby against rivals Algeria.

Group A: Morocco, Senegal, Algeria, Kenya

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

Group C: Nigeria, Egypt, Zambia, Malawi

Group D: Ghana, Mali, Cameroon, Cape Verde

WAFCON 2026: Group Stage

Sunday, July 26

Group A: Algeria v Senegal, Olympic Stadium, Rabat – 20:00 EAT

Group A: Morocco v Kenya, Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat – 23:00 EAT

Monday, July 27

Group B: South Africa v Tanzania, Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca – 20:00 EAT

Group B: Ivory Coast v Burkina Faso, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca – 23:00 EAT

Tuesday, July 28

Group C: Zambia v Egypt, Olympic Stadium – 20:00 EAT

Group C: Nigeria v Malawi, Al Medina Stadium, Rabat – 23:00 EAT

Wednesday, July 29

Group D: Ghana v Cape Verde, Moulay Rachid Stadium – 20:00 EAT

Group D: Cameroon v Mali, Larbi Zaouli Stadium – 23:00 EAT

Thursday, July 30

Group A: Senegal v Kenya, Olympic Stadium – 20:00 EAT

Group A: Morocco v Algeria, Moulay Hassan Stadium – 23:00 EAT

Friday, July 31

Group B: South Africa v Ivory Coast, Moulay Rachid Stadium – 20:00 EAT

Group B: Burkina Faso v Tanzania, Larbi Zaouli Stadium – 23:00 EAT

Saturday, August 1

Group C: Egypt v Malawi, Moulay Hassan Stadium – 20:00 EAT

Group C: Nigeria v Zambia, Al Medina Stadium – 23:00 EAT

Sunday, August 2

Group D: Ghana v Cameroon, Moulay Rachid Stadium – 20:00 EAT

Group D: Mali v Cape Verde, Larbi Zaouli Stadium – 23:00 EAT

Monday, August 3

Group A: Senegal v Morocco, Moulay Hassan Stadium – 23:00 EAT

Group A: Kenya v Algeria, Olympic Stadium – 23:00 EAT

Tuesday, August 4

Group B: Burkina Faso v South Africa, Moulay Rachid Stadium – 23:00 EAT

Group B: Tanzania v Ivory Coast, Larbi Zaouli Stadium – 23:00 EAT

Wednesday, August 5

Group C: Egypt v Nigeria, Olympic Stadium – 23:00 EAT

Group C: Malawi v Zambia, Al Medina Stadium – 23:00 EAT

Thursday, August 6

Group D: Mali v Ghana, Moulay Rachid Stadium – 23:00 EAT

Group D: Cape Verde v Cameroon, Larbi Zaouli Stadium – 23:00 EAT

Quarterfinals

Saturday, August 8

QF 2: Winner Group B v Second Place Group A, Moulay Rachid Stadium – 20:00 EAT

QF 1: Winner Group A v Second Place Group B, Moulay Hassan Stadium – 23:00 EAT

Sunday, August 9

QF 4: Winner Group D v Second Place Group C, Larbi Zaouli Stadium – 20:00 EAT

QF 3: Winner Group C v Second Place Group D, Al Medina Stadium – 23:00 EAT

Semifinals

Wednesday, August 12

SF 2: Winner QF2 v Winner QF3, Olympic Stadium – 20:00 EAT

SF 1: Winner QF1 v Winner QF4, Moulay Hassan Stadium – 23:00 EAT

Thursday, August 13

Loser QF2 v Loser QF3, Larbi Zaouli Stadium – 20:00 EAT

Loser QF1 v Loser QF4, Moulay Rachid Stadium – 23:00 EAT

Saturday, August 15

Loser SF1 v Loser SF2, Olympic Stadium – 20:00 EAT

Sunday, August 16

Winner SF1 v Winner SF2, Moulay Hassan Stadium or Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat – 22:00 EAT