WAFCON 2026: Africa's football queens battle for continental glory

The 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) will kick off in Morocco with four former champions set to battle for continental supremacy, bringing decades of success and experience to Africa's biggest women's football tournament. Defending champions Nigeria remain the most decorated team in the competition's history.

The Super Falcons have won a record 10 WAFCON titles and head into the tournament as favourites to extend their dominance.

Their remarkable record has made them the benchmark for women's football on the continent, with another title expected to be high on their agenda.

South Africa's Banyana Banyana, who claimed their maiden continental crown in 2022, are also among the title contenders.

Having continued to build on their success in recent years, the South Africans will be aiming to add a second WAFCON trophy to their collection after establishing themselves as one of Africa's leading women's football nations.

Equatorial Guinea return to the competition hoping to relive the glory of their historic triumphs in 2008 and 2012.

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Although they have struggled to replicate those achievements in recent editions, the two-time champions remain one of the few nations to have lifted the coveted trophy.

Hosts Morocco, three-time finalists Ghana, and Cameroon are among the countries still chasing their first WAFCON title despite reaching previous finals.

Ghana's Black Queens, runners-up on three occasions, will be eager to end their long wait for continental success as they compete alongside Africa's former champions in Morocco.

The 2026 edition, expanded to 16 teams, promises another fiercely contested championship as Nigeria, South Africa and Equatorial Guinea seek to add to their trophy collections while several ambitious challengers look to create new history.

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