for the 2026 version, in an enchanting for African girls’s soccer. Established powers are underneath stress, new nations are arriving with ambition, and a number of the continent’s greatest stars are coming off excellent seasons in Europe.
The competitors this yr is intense as extra gamers than ever earlier than are competing in Europe’s high leagues, whereas these in home competitions throughout Africa proceed to develop in high quality. This implies the hole between the continent’s conventional heavyweights and rising challengers is steadily narrowing.
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From defending champions searching for so as to add one other chapter to their unparalleled legacy, to hosts Morocco chasing historical past on dwelling soil. And from trying to reclaim continental supremacy, to ’s golden era hoping to transform promise into silverware, this yr’s event is full of compelling narratives earlier than a ball has even been kicked.
Whether or not you’re following WAFCON for the primary time or have watched the competitors evolve over time, right here’s the whole lot it’s worthwhile to know earlier than the motion begins.
The early favourites at WAFCON 2026
No dialog about WAFCON can start anyplace apart from with Nigeria.
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The Tremendous Falcons stay essentially the most adorned facet within the competitors’s historical past and arrive with a squad boasting world-class expertise throughout each division. Goalkeeper continues to ascertain herself among the many world’s elite, whereas captain carries the accountability of main a brand new era. Alongside skilled names akin to , and , who’s a veteran at this level.
Nigeria’s mix of pedigree, depth and event know-how makes them one of many groups everybody else will measure themselves in opposition to. Standing of their manner are a well-known group of challengers.
South Africa stays certainly one of Africa’s most tactically subtle groups. Banyana Banyana have constantly demonstrated that they’ll compete with the continent’s greatest by way of clever possession soccer, disciplined defensive organisation and the match-winning qualities of gamers like and .
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Morocco, in the meantime, have quickly grow to be certainly one of African soccer’s success tales. After reaching the ultimate on dwelling soil in 2022, the Atlas Lionesses as soon as once more take pleasure in dwelling benefit and can hope passionate crowds can encourage one other memorable marketing campaign. Led by captain , they possess the technical high quality and rising confidence to problem for the title.
Then there may be Zambia.
Few groups possess an assault as scary because the Copper Queens’. and have grow to be international stars following excellent seasons within the NWSL, and in the event that they discover their rhythm collectively, Zambia will bother each defence they face.
The Bayana Bayana celebrating their first WAFCON trophy after 20 years of ready. PC (CAF Media)
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Keep watch over the darkish horses
Considered one of WAFCON’s biggest strengths is its unpredictability. Whereas the finals have revolved round three or 4 nations, there are all the time one or two desperate to shock the continent.
returns desperate to remind everybody of their pedigree after years away from the latter levels of the competitors. Côte d’Ivoire has quietly constructed certainly one of their strongest squads in current reminiscence and look more and more snug competing with Africa’s established powers.
Mali proceed to provide technically gifted gamers able to irritating stronger opponents, whereas ’s physicality and organisation imply they can’t be missed in the event that they attain the knockout rounds.
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None could start the event among the many favourites, however every has sufficient high quality to alter the complexion of the competitors.
Malawian celebrates their WAFCON qualification.
New faces and new ambitions
Each main event wants a contemporary story. This yr, the debutants arrive decided to show they belong on Africa’s greatest stage.
For nations making their first WAFCON look, qualification itself represents years of funding, growth and perception. Their goal will probably be easy: compete fearlessly, embrace the event and present that African girls’s soccer continues to increase past its conventional powerhouses.
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And if there’s a debutant to be careful for, it could be Malawi.
Gamers who might gentle up the event
Whereas WAFCON has all the time celebrated collective success, particular person brilliance usually shapes its defining moments.
Barbra Banda enters the event as arguably Africa’s most feared ahead after one other prolific membership season. Her mixture of energy, tempo and ending makes her one of many favourites for the Golden Boot. Alongside her, fellow Zambian Racheal Kundananji possesses the power to alter video games with explosive working and relentless directness.
Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie stays one of many world’s premier goalkeepers and will as soon as once more show decisive within the knockout rounds, whereas Rasheedat Ajibade’s management and flexibility will probably be central to the Tremendous Falcons’ ambitions.
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Hosts Morocco will as soon as once more look in direction of Ghizlane Chebbak for inspiration, whereas South Africa’s stays able to producing moments that alter the course of a event.
Past the established stars, WAFCON has all the time offered a platform for rising skills to announce themselves. Anticipate at the least one younger participant to go away Morocco as certainly one of African soccer’s latest family names.
It’s going to be three weeks of premium soccer and for those who love leisure and fancy some thrills, then you need to keep glued to WAFCON.
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