The 2026 edition of the continental tournament will once again be hosted in Morocco, just two years after the delayed 2024 event concluded in July.
However, the announcement appears to have caught the Confederation of African Football (CAF) by surprise, as the governing body is yet to issue an official statement regarding the tournament schedule.
According to FIFA, the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will serve as a direct qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Twelve teams will compete in Morocco, with four earning automatic qualification to represent Africa on the global stage.
Banyana Banyana are set to begin their qualification campaign with a two-legged tie against the Democratic Republic of Congo later this year. The defending African champions, Nigeria, will also be looking to retain their continental dominance after clinching the 2024 title with a 1–0 win over hosts Morocco in the final.
Reflecting on the upcoming challenge, Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis emphasised the importance of early preparation. “Every game counts at this level. We know what’s at stake, it’s not just about WAFCON glory, but also a ticket to the World Cup. Our focus is to build a strong squad and get the job done,” Ellis said.
SAFA Chief Executive Officer Lydia Monyepao added that the federation is awaiting further communication from CAF regarding the official fixtures and logistics. “We were a bit surprised by FIFA’s early announcement, but we are ready to compete. South Africa has a proud history in women’s football, and we want to continue that success,” Monyepao noted.
With the 2026 tournament set to take place in Morocco once again, fans can expect a highly competitive contest, as the stakes will be higher than ever both continental pride and World Cup qualification will be on the line.
–ChannelAfrica–
