WAFCON 2026: Details on new format, host country and start date

Here are cardinal details specified arsenic the caller format, big country, arsenic good arsenic commencement day shot fans should cognize astir WAFCON scheduled for 2026.

Following the immense occurrence of WAFCON 2024, Women's shot successful Africa has dominated the headlines erstwhile again and present are cardinal details, immoderate of which see the commencement date, big country, and the caller format fans should cognize up of the tournament.

When is the commencement day of WAFCON 2026?

The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) volition officially instrumentality spot from March 17 to April 3, 2026. The tourney promises to beryllium 1 of the astir competitory editions yet, with Africa’s apical women’s nationalist teams battling for continental glory. Nigeria’s Super Falcons, who clinched their 10th rubric successful the erstwhile edition, volition participate arsenic defending champions and favourites to clasp their crown.

Super Falcons

Which state is hosting WAFCON 2026?

Morocco has erstwhile again been confirmed arsenic the big federation for the 2026 WAFCON. The North African state successfully hosted the past edition, which ended dramatically with Nigeria defeating the hosts 3–2 successful the final. Morocco’s awesome facilities and increasing concern successful women’s shot person earned it different accidental to signifier the continent’s premier women’s competition.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has continued to put heavy successful processing the women’s game, with the prize money for the astir caller Moroccan variation accrued by 45% to $3.45 million. Champions Nigeria received $1 million, highlighting CAF’s committedness to ensuring amended rewards and designation for pistillate athletes.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe commended the advancement being made, noting:

“I americium pleased with the advancement we’ve made successful women’s African football. Making definite men and women are paid good and tin marque a vocation retired of shot is key. Women’s shot volition proceed to amended due to the fact that that is an country we are focusing connected a lot.”

What are the details of the caller WAFCON format?

The 2026 WAFCON volition present an expanded 16-team format, up from the 12-team operation utilized successful 2022. This marks a important measurement successful the improvement of the tournament, reflecting the accelerated maturation and competitiveness of women’s shot crossed Africa.

The enlargement volition spot much nations get a accidental to vie astatine the highest level, but it volition besides summation the trouble for established teams similar Nigeria, South Africa, and Zambia. With much matches and a broader excavation of talent, the caller format is expected to nutrient tighter contests and caller rivalries.

To accommodate the expansion, CAF is considering an additional circular of qualifiers, with 11 teams competing for the remaining 4 slots. More details are expected pursuing CAF’s executive committee gathering successful Kinshasa.

Historically, WAFCON began arsenic an eight-team tourney successful 1998 and maintained that setup until 2018, earlier expanding to 12 teams successful 2022. The 2020 edition was cancelled owed to the COVID-19 pandemic, but since then, CAF has intensified its committedness to increasing the women’s crippled crossed the continent.

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