Morocco and Algeria will square off in the same group at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, following the group stage draw that was conducted on Thursday afternoon in Rabat, Morocco.
The draw function was conducted by Kenya Women’s National Team head coach Beldine Odemba and Morocco’s legendary goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi.
Morocco who will host the tournament for the third successive time were pitted in the same group with local rivals Algeria. The Atlas Lionesses are making their fifth appearance at the tournament and are seeking to win the title for the first time, having lost in the final for the last two editions.
In Algeria, they face a team that has been on a rise in recent times, the Fennecs reached the quarterfinals in the previous edition.
Besides Morocco and Algeria, Group A also has Senegal and Kenya. This pool will be based at Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.
Group B has 2022 Champions South Africa, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Tanzania and their games will be played at Al Medina Stadium, also in Rabat.
Reigning Champions, Nigeria will have another face off with Zambia who they defeated 5-0 at the previous edition. The two teams are in group C alongside Egypt and debutants Malawi. This group will be based at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.
The final group (D) has Ghana, Cameroon, Mali and another debutant in Cape Verde. This group will be based in Fes and play their games at Complexe Sportive de Fes.
It should be noted that for the first time, WAFCON will feature 16 teams, increasing from 12.
The four semifinalists will book direct tickets to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup while the losing quarterfinalists will contend for two inter-continental playoff slots.
WAFCON 2026 will be held from Tuesday, 17 March to Friday, 3 April.
Full Draw
Group A: Morocco (Hosts), Algeria, Senegal, Kenya
Group B: South Africa, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Tanzania
Group C: Nigeria (Reigning Champions), Zambia, Egypt, Malawi
Group D: Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, Cape Verde