The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced the date and venue for the draw ceremony of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

According to CAF, the draw will take place on Thursday, January 15, 2026, in Rabat, Morocco, setting the stage for what promises to be a historic edition of the continental showpiece.

For the first time in the tournament’s history, 16 teams will compete at the Women’s AFCON, marking a significant expansion aimed at boosting women’s football across Africa.

Host nation Morocco and defending champions Nigeria headline the list of qualified teams. The other nations set to feature are Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia.

The 2026 WAFCON finals are scheduled to run from March 17 to April 3, 2026, with Morocco once again playing host after earning praise for its recent organization of major CAF tournaments.

Opinion: A New Era for Women’s Football in Africa

This expanded format feels long overdue. Increasing the number of teams to 16 is not just a symbolic move—it is a clear statement of intent by CAF to grow women’s football beyond a handful of dominant nations.

For Nigeria’s Super Falcons, the defending champions, the tournament offers another chance to reaffirm their continental dominance. However, with the rise of competitive sides like South Africa, Zambia, Morocco, and Ghana, the road to another title will be anything but straightforward.

Hosting the draw and tournament in Morocco also reflects CAF’s growing confidence in the country as a football hub. More importantly, WAFCON 2026 represents an opportunity to inspire a new generation of African girls, showcase local talent on a bigger stage, and push the women’s game closer to the spotlight it truly deserves.

As Rabat prepares to host the draw, fans across the continent will be watching closely—because the future of African women’s football begins with those balls being picked from the bowl.