The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will be the first edition to feature sixteen teams, a milestone that underscores the rapid growth of women’s football on the continent. Morocco will stage the tournament from 26 July to 16 August, turning the North African nation into a hub for the continent’s top squads.
A New Format, A New Era
Each group sends its top two finishers to the quarterfinals, and the four semifinalists earn direct berths at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, while the fifth‑placed team must navigate an intercontinental playoff. Group C is widely regarded as the most competitive, with Nigeria emerging as a perennial favourite, while other contenders add depth to the draw.
In Group D, Ghana is expected to make a strong showing, and teams such as Mali, bolstered by star forward Aissata Traoré, and Cameroon, anchored by goalkeeper Michaely Bihina, are also teams to watch.
The latest episode of The IX Sports Podcast Soccer Edition, hosted by Kathleen Gier, Jacob Mitchell and Kofi, breaks down these storylines, offering listeners insider perspectives and analysis of the tournament’s implications for the global stage.
Beyond the brackets, the event signals a broader push to professionalize the women’s game, from increased media coverage to expanded sponsorship and development pathways.