The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced the date and hosting country for the forthcoming 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) will be held in Morocco from March 17 to April 3, 2026. This marks the third consecutive time Morocco will host the tournament, following the 2022 and 2024 editions.
The 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, commonly called WAFCON 2026, will represent the 14th edition of this biennial international football championship organized by CAF for the women's national teams across Africa.
The final round of qualifiers is scheduled for October 2025, during which the Nigerian national team will compete against Benin. The semi-finalists of the 2026 edition will automatically qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Details on Morocco preparation for hosting 2026 WAFCON
Morocco’s preparation for hosting the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) builds on its experience from successfully hosting the 2022 and 2024 editions, marking it as the first country to host the tournament three times consecutively.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed Morocco as the host on October 17, 2024, highlighting the nation’s robust infrastructure and commitment to women’s football.
Infrastructure and Venues
Morocco is leveraging its ongoing investments in sports infrastructure, driven by its ambition to position itself as a leading football hub in Africa. The country is preparing to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which has accelerated stadium upgrades and construction. While specific venues for WAFCON 2026 have not been announced, the 2024 edition utilized six stadiums across five cities, including the 21,000-capacity Olympic Stadium in Rabat and the 30,000-capacity Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.
Unlike 2024, when major venues like Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium were under renovation for AFCON, Morocco is expected to have these upgraded facilities available by 2026, potentially allowing for larger crowds compared to the 2024 tournament’s smaller venues.
Investment in Women’s Football
Morocco’s “Marshall Plan” for women’s football, initiated in 2020, continues to drive development. This state-funded initiative focuses on improving gender equality and elevating the women’s game, with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (RMFF) providing $500 per month per player to top-flight clubs to ensure salaries.
This investment has strengthened Morocco’s domestic women’s league, with clubs like AS FAR excelling, as seen with player Sanaa Mssoudy being named the best in the 2024-25 Moroccan league and at the 2023 Women’s African Champions League. The Atlas Lionesses, Morocco’s national women’s team, have benefited, reaching the finals in 2022 and 2024, though losing to South Africa and Nigeria, respectively.
Organizational Experience
Morocco’s successful hosting of the 2022 and 2024 WAFCON tournaments demonstrates its organizational capacity. In 2022, the final drew a record crowd of over 50,000, showcasing strong fan engagement. Despite scheduling challenges in 2024 due to the Paris Olympics, Morocco managed a competitive tournament across smaller venues, with capacity crowds at Rabat’s Olympic Stadium. For 2026, CAF and Morocco aim to address past issues like limited international media coverage and scheduling conflicts by hosting the event from March 17 to April 3, a less congested period.
Team Preparation
The Atlas Lionesses, coached by Jorge Vilda, who led Spain to the 2023 Women’s World Cup title, are focusing on building a competitive squad. Key players like Ghizlane Chebbak, a top scorer in 2022, and Sanaa Mssoudy are expected to lead the team, supported by a growing talent pool from Morocco’s domestic league and players abroad, such as Chebbak at Levante Badalona in Spain. Morocco’s consistent semifinal appearances and qualification for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup underline their growing prowess, bolstered by home support.
Broader Context
Morocco’s hosting streak reflects its strategic investment in sports to enhance its global image, as noted in posts on X. The country’s infrastructure readiness and lack of competitive bids from other nations have made it CAF’s preferred host, despite concerns about over-reliance on one nation.
Efforts to boost women’s football include improving domestic leagues and securing sponsorships, though challenges remain in increasing viewership and broadcast deals compared to men’s tournaments. Morocco’s preparations for WAFCON 2026 are thus centered on leveraging upgraded facilities, a strong domestic women’s football ecosystem, and lessons from past tournaments to deliver a high-profile event while aiming for their first WAFCON title.
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