Nigeria lead the pack as 12 teams clinch places at 2026 Wafcon 

Twelve nations have booked their places at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2026, after two qualifying rounds.

Hosts Morocco, runners-up at the last two editions, will again look to turn fervent home support into silverware.

Roared on by their public, the Atlas Lionesses dream of finally lifting the trophy that slipped away against South Africa (1–2) in 2022.

The competition will be fierce. Ten-time champions Nigeria remain the team to beat.

 The Super Falcons are targeting an 11th title to underline their long-standing dominance of the continent.

Behind the heavyweights, Ghana—third at the last tournament—arrive with clear ambition.

Zambia and South Africa, now regulars at the highest level, round out a strong group of favourites in which fine margins will matter.

But the Women’s AFCON is not only about established powers. The 2026 edition will also showcase new faces.

Cape Verde and Malawi are set for their first-ever finals—a historic moment for two nations where the women’s game is growing rapidly. 

Kenya and Burkina Faso, returning after spells away, will be eager to prove they belong in this select field.

Around them, several rising teams continue their upward curve. Senegal, Algeria and Tanzania qualified with authority, extending trajectories seen in recent seasons.

Parity and quality are increasingly evident, turning the tournament into a showcase for an African women’s football landscape in full evolution.

Women’s Afcon already looking toward the World Cup

Beyond the race for the continental crown, the 2026 Women’s Afcon carries high stakes: qualification for the Fifa Women’s World Cup 2027™ in Brazil.

The four semi-finalists will claim direct tickets to the global finals, with two additional nations heading to intercontinental play-offs.

Every match, every point and every goal will carry weight.

The results of the final qualifying round matches were as follows:

Second Round Fixtures:

Angola – Malawi
First leg: 0-0
Second leg: 0-2 (F. Chinzimu, 82′ 83’)

DR Congo – South Africa 
First leg: 1-1 (Ruth Kipoyi 45+1 /  Kgaelebane Mohlokoane 42)
Second leg: 0-1 (T. Kgatlana 90+1)

Tanzania – Ethiopia
First leg: 2-0, Aisha Mnunka (7′), Jamila Rajabu (54′)
Second leg: 1-0, Diana Lucas (15’)

Namibia – Zambia
First leg: 2-4 (Ivon Kooper 51’, 59’ Zenatha Coleman| Rachael Kundananji 12’ 70, 90+3, 16’ Rachel Nachula)
Second leg: 0-3 (live, Rachel Kundananji 21’, Eneless Phiri 31’, Prisca Chilufya 47’)

Burkina Faso – Togo
First leg: 2-0 (R.Sawadogo 65′, A. Kabré 89′ (pen))
Second leg: 1-0 (Adama Congo 45+2)

Algeria – Cameroon
First leg:  2-1 (G. Karchouni 23′, M. Dafeur 35’/ A. Njoya Nchout)
Second leg: 1-0 (M. Dafeur 22’)

Egypt – Ghana
First leg: 0-3 (D. Boaduwaa 42′, M. Amponsah 85′, G. Asantewaa 90′)

Second leg: 0-4 (D.Boaduwaa 52′, 55′, 90+2, C. Yeboah 57′) 

Kenya – Gambia
First leg: 3-1 (A. Adam 12′, F.Adhiambo 19′, Shalyne 45+2 /  Fatou Kanteh 3′)
Second leg: 0-1 (Mwanalima Adam Jereko 51’)

Benin – Nigeria
First leg: 0-2 (Chinwendu 25′, Okoronkwo 45’+1)
Second leg: 1-1  (Plumptre 12’/ Djibril 61’)

Cape Verde – Mali
First leg: 0-1 (C.Dembélé 81′)
Second leg: 4-2 (L. Melo 14’, I. Moreira 17’, E. Vieira 24, og/ O. Koné 55m, 88’

Senegal – Cote d’Ivoire
First leg: 0-0
Second leg: 0-0 (5-4 pen)

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