The Hypebae Guide to WAFCON 2026
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is a historically underrated tournament in women’s sports, but we’re here to keep you in the loop ahead of this year’s kick-off.
The 2026 World Cup is officially a thing of the past, but that doesn’t mean the summer of sport is over. The World Cup has been all anyone has wanted to talk about for over a month, with game predictions, goal reactions and replayed highlights. Across the ocean, set against the backdrop of the Sahara Desert, another tournament is about to kick off – and this one is putting African women’s soccer on the map.
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, like its men’s soccer equivalent, is a tournament unlike any other. It is a showcase of Africa’s biggest and brightest talents, finally basking in a spotlight that is rarely shone on them and the nations they represent. The Cup itself serves as a celebration of African football, but the joy, passion and thrill that the players bring every two years makes it one of the best tournaments to ever grace the women’s game. WAFCON wasn’t on your radar? Well, it is now.
The latest edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is here to pick up exactly where FIFA left off, and we’re bringing you up to speed on the basics. Here’s the Hypebae guide to Africa’s biggest competition, making sure you don’t sleep on WAFCON this summer.
The Tournament
Think of WAFCON as the ultimate stage where Africa’s most electric football talent, boldest fan style and dynamic cultural energy collide. 2026 is the biggest tournament in WAFCON history, expanded to 16 teams for the first time. Hosted by Morocco for the third time in a row, there’s a sense of familiarity about this year’s edition, but the stakes have never been higher.
The tournament doubles as a qualifier for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, with the top four teams securing a spot in Brazil next summer. An additional two teams will make it to the inter-continental playoffs for a chance to represent their country on the biggest stage.
Finally kicking off after being postponed less than two weeks before it was set to start earlier this year, this year’s edition is already gearing up to be unforgettable. With everything on the line, and the chance for a record six African teams to represent the continent next summer, the stakes have never been higher.
The Favorites
Nigeria
South Africa
Morocco
The Dark Horses
Zambia
Ghana
Cameroon
WAFCON 2026 kicks off on July 25, with the final taking place in Rabat, Morocco on August 16.
