Twelve countries have secured their places in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), including hosts Morocco. The qualification process concluded on Tuesday, finalizing most of the lineup for the continental tournament.
Reigning champions Nigeria advanced after defeating Benin 3-1 on aggregate, earning their record 11th consecutive WAFCON appearance.
Malawi and Cape Verde made history by qualifying for the tournament for the first time. Kenya also booked their second appearance after a convincing 4-1 win over The Gambia.
Burkina Faso sealed their second qualification by beating Togo 3-0 on aggregate. Other familiar names joining the lineup include Algeria, Ghana, South Africa, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia.
Four additional spots remain open to complete the 16-team tournament. These will likely be decided through playoff matches involving some of the teams eliminated in the second round, though official details are yet to be announced.
Full list of the 12 qualified countries:
- Morocco – Hosts
- Nigeria – Defending champions
- South Africa
- Ghana
- Zambia
- Algeria
- Malawi
- Cape Verde
- Kenya
- Tanzania
- Senegal
- Burkina Faso
The 2026 WAFCON promises to showcase the growing strength of women’s football across Africa, with several debutants joining established powerhouses in the race for continental glory.
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