By Kazeem Ajibola Shoyebo
The final draw for the 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) was concluded on Thursday in Rabat, Morocco, setting the stage for the continent’s premier women’s football tournament. The 16 qualified nations were placed into four groups of four teams ahead of the event scheduled from March 17 to April 3, 2026.
Defending champions Nigeria’s Super Falcons have been drawn into Group C alongside Zambia, Egypt and Malawi. The matches in Group C will be played at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.
Group Stage Line-up
Group A (Rabat — Moulay Al Hassan Stadium)
• Morocco (hosts)
• Senegal
• Algeria
• Kenya
Group B (Rabat — Al Madina Stadium)
• South Africa
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Burkina Faso
• Tanzania
Group C (Casablanca — Larbi Zaouli Stadium)
• Nigeria (defending champions)
• Zambia
• Egypt
• Malawi
Group D (Fès — Complexe Sportif de Fès)
• Ghana
• Cameroon
• Mali
• Cape Verde
This edition marks the first time Malawi will appear at a WAFCON finals, while Zambia returns after strong recent showings. Egypt, a regular participant, adds depth to Group C’s competitive balance.
Nigeria, winners of a record 10 WAFCON titles, will begin its title defence against familiar rivals. The Super Falcons thumped Zambia 5–0 in a quarter-final clash at the last tournament, and they will renew that rivalry in the group stage.
Morocco, the host nation, were placed in Group A with regional rivals Senegal and Algeria, as well as Kenya, in what promises to be a competitive opener for the Atlas Lionesses.
South Africa, another heavyweight in African women’s football, leads Group B alongside Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Tanzania. Group D features Ghana, Cameroon, Mali and Cape Verde.
The final draw was broadcast live from the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat and followed CAF’s official procedures using FIFA Women’s World Rankings to seed the 16 teams into four pots. Hosts Morocco and defending champions Nigeria were pre-placed in Group A and Group C respectively.
Top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, with knockout winners progressing through to the semi-finals and beyond. The tournament also doubles as a qualifying pathway for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.
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