2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco: format, venues, favourites and prize money

The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will be staged across four Moroccan cities—Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakesh and Tangier—between 5 and 23 July. Twelve national teams will compete in a group‑stage format of three groups of four, with the top two sides from each group and the two best third‑placed teams advancing to the quarter‑finals. CAF has confirmed a prize pool of $2.5 million for the champions, $1.5 million for the runners‑up and $500,000 for the third‑place team, with additional sums allocated to the remaining participants.

Group A features hosts Morocco, five‑time champions Nigeria, Zambia and Tanzania; Group B pits South Africa against Cameroon, Ghana and Kenya; Group C comprises Senegal, Egypt, Ivory Coast and Burundi. Pre‑tournament analysis points to Nigeria, South Africa, Cameroon and Morocco as the principal title contenders, each boasting a blend of experienced internationals and emerging talent. Players to watch include Nigeria’s forward Asisat Oshoala, South Africa’s midfielder Thembi Kgatlana, Cameroon’s striker Ajara Nchout and Morocco’s defender Ghizlane Chebbak, whose performances are expected to shape the competition’s narrative. The tournament will not only determine Africa’s representative for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup but also highlight the continent’s growing investment in women’s football.