- Nigeria Chase Record 11th WAFCON Title, World Cup Qualification and Historic $2 Million Prize in Morocco
The countdown to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is over, with defending champions Nigeria beginning their title defence as favourites to lift an unprecedented 11th continental crown while also targeting qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and a record-breaking $2 million winners’ prize.
The expanded tournament, which kicks off in Morocco on Sunday, features 16 nations for the first time, increasing both the level of competition and the stakes for Africa’s elite women’s national teams.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has significantly increased the financial rewards for this year’s tournament, with the champions set to receive a record $2 million.
The increase reflects CAF’s continued investment in women’s football and comes after Africa’s impressive performances on the global stage, making Morocco 2026 the richest Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in history.
Beyond continental glory, the tournament also serves as Africa’s qualification pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The four semifinalists will automatically qualify for the global tournament, while two additional teams will earn places in the intercontinental play-offs after matches between the losing quarterfinalists.
Nigeria head coach Justine Madugu insists that securing World Cup qualification remains his team’s immediate objective before focusing on retaining the continental title.
“Our first objective is to reach the semifinals and secure World Cup qualification,” Madugu said.
“Our second goal is to defend the trophy. We know every team wants to beat us because we are the champions, but we are determined to remain focused and achieve both targets.”
Nigeria arrive in Morocco as defending champions after producing one of the greatest comebacks in WAFCON history during the 2024 final.
Trailing hosts Morocco 2-0 at halftime, the Super Falcons fought back to win 3-2, with Jennifer Echegini scoring the dramatic winning goal late in the match.
Echegini returns for the title defence alongside fellow final goalscorers Esther Okoronkwo and Folashade Ijamilusi, giving Nigeria one of the tournament’s most dangerous attacking units.
Coach Madugu has assembled a balanced 25-player squad featuring stars based across Europe, Asia and North America.
Among the key names is captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who will lead the Super Falcons alongside Paris Saint-Germain teammate Jennifer Echegini.
Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, widely regarded as one of Africa’s finest goalkeepers, is also expected to play a crucial role.
The only home-based player in the squad is goalkeeper Fatima Oloko of Abia Angels.
Nigeria will, however, be without experienced defender Ashleigh Plumptre, who misses the tournament through injury.
Nigeria have been drawn in a challenging Group C alongside Zambia, Egypt and Malawi.
Zambia are expected to provide the toughest opposition, boasting two of Africa’s biggest stars in Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji, whose move to Bay FC made headlines as a record-breaking transfer in women’s football.
Malawi, meanwhile, possess attacking firepower through sisters Tabitha Chawinga and Temwa Chawinga, while Egypt will look to upset the favourites with their disciplined style of play.
Hosts Morocco, runners-up in the last two editions, will attempt to go one step further on home soil. They begin their campaign in Group A against Algeria, Senegal and Kenya.
Defending runners-up Morocco’s clash with Algeria is expected to attract significant attention because of the long-standing political tensions between the neighbouring nations.
Former champions South Africa headline Group B, where they face Ivory Coast, Tanzania and Burkina Faso.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s Black Queens, who finished third at the previous tournament, will compete in Group D alongside Cameroon, Cape Verde and Tunisia as they seek a return to the World Cup.
The 2026 edition is the first to feature 16 teams, with matches scheduled across five stadiums in Rabat and Casablanca.
A total of 34 matches will be played during the tournament, making it the biggest Women’s Africa Cup of Nations ever staged.
