Defending champions Nigeria will begin their campaign at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 in Group C, facing Zambia, Egypt, and debutants Malawi. The tournament is scheduled to run from 17 March to 3 April 2026, with Group C matches set to be played at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.
According to the CAF official statement, Nigeria record 10 time African champions will aim to defend their title but will encounter a challenging group stage. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, while the semi finalists will secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Quarter-final losers will compete in play-offs to determine which two additional African teams will enter the inter confederation play-offs for World Cup spots.
The tournament groups are structured as follows:
Group A (Rabat, Moulay El Hassan Stadium): Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, Kenya
Group B (Rabat, Al Madina Stadium): South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Tanzania
Group C (Casablanca, Larbi Zaouli Stadium): Nigeria, Zambia, Egypt, Malawi
Group D (Fes): Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, Cape Verde
Nigeria, who lifted the trophy in the last edition by defeating hosts Morocco 3–2 in the 2024 final, will hope to continue their dominance in African women’s football. Meanwhile, hosts Morocco will lead Group A in Rabat, while South Africa heads Group B, and Ghana leads Group D in Fes, joined by debutants Cape Verde.
CAF has confirmed that the CAF Women’s AFCON 2026 will not only determine continental champions but also play a critical role in shaping African representation at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
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