Women’s Africa Cup of Nations opens Sunday in Morocco
What’s at stake: the four semifinalists will qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations begins Sunday in Morocco, with defending champion Nigeria seeking an 11th continental title and host Morocco chasing its first. The tournament runs from July 26 to Aug. 16 and will be staged in Rabat and Casablanca after a postponement from its original March-April window. This edition expands to 16 teams for the first time, with debutants Malawi and Cape Verde joining the field. The top two teams in each of four groups advance to the quarterfinals, and the four semifinalists will secure places at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Nigeria enters as the favorite after winning a record 10th title in 2025, while Morocco again leans on captain Ghizlane Chebbak after back-to-back runner-up finishes.