The Women's Africa Cup of Nations begins on 26 July 2026 in Rabat, with defending champions South Africa among the teams chasing continental glory and a place at the next World Cup.

Wafcon, as the tournament is widely known, is the championship for women's national teams across Africa. This edition runs through to the final on 16 August, also in Rabat. The group stage runs from 26 July to 6 August, followed by quarterfinals on 8 and 9 August, semifinals on 12 August, and a third-place playoff on 13 August Al Jazeera. The tournament was originally scheduled earlier but was postponed by roughly four and a half months ESPN.

South Africa, known as Banyana Banyana, won this competition for the first time in 2022. They followed that breakthrough by reaching the round of 16 at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand — the first time many global fans saw what this group could do on the biggest stage BBC Sport. Head coach Desiree Ellis remains at the helm.

The stakes are straightforward: a top-four finish at Wafcon would qualify South Africa for a third successive Women's World Cup. They have been drawn in Group B alongside Tanzania, Ivory Coast, and Burkina Faso BBC Sport.

One player central to their hopes is captain Refiloe Jane. At 33, the midfielder recently earned her 150th international cap — a milestone that puts her among the most experienced players on the continent. The BBC named Jane as one of seven stars to watch at Wafcon 2026, a list that also includes Esther Okoronkwo of Nigeria, Tabitha Chawinga of Malawi, Ghizlane Chebbak of Morocco, and Lilian Awuor BBC Sport.

Okoronkwo carries the weight of a Nigerian side that has historically dominated this tournament. Chawinga brings pace and goals for a Malawi team looking to make an impression. Chebbak, playing on home soil, gives Morocco a creative edge. Each reflects the depth of talent now spread across African women's football.

For the first time, Wafcon will be broadcast live in the United Kingdom, through CAF's partnership with Channel 4. Global broadcasters also include beIN Sport, DAZN, and Ziggo CAF. Ticket sales are officially open CAF.

For fans, this means a tournament that has often flown under the radar is now easier to watch than ever. Three weeks of football in Rabat, with World Cup qualification on the line and a cast of players who have already proved they can compete with anyone. The group stage opens with South Africa, Nigeria, Morocco, and the rest all needing to find their rhythm quickly — because in a tournament this condensed, slow starts rarely end well.