South Africa appeared to offer to host the tournament, before Morocco was reconfirmed and a new window was announced. A revised match list, which included only two of the three original host cities, Rabat and Casablanca, was revealed on 25 June. The draw remained the same.<\/p>\n
Several teams, including South Africa and Nigeria, expressed frustration at the late change, especially as they had already been playing warm-up matches in preparation for the tournament. Also, the change meant that, for many players, they will be out of season.<\/p>\n
What is the setup?<\/p>\n
This is the first time the tournament will be played with 16 teams \u2013 up from 12 in the past two editions \u2013 but the inclusion of the final four sides was unsatisfactory. They were added to the tournament only after the qualification process, which ran from February to October 2025, had been completed. The four sides \u2013 Cameroon, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Mali and Egypt \u2013 were picked on rankings.<\/p>\n
While the Egypt midfielder Nadine Ghazi admitted that the team\u2019s qualification was \u201cdifferent, if I can put it like that\u201d, they hope to take inspiration from their men\u2019s side, who reached the World Cup last 16 before losing to Argentina.<\/p>\n
Another team that will be looking to their male counterparts\u2019 performances for motivation is Cape Verde, who are one of two tournament debutants. Malawi are the other first-timers.<\/p>\n
The teams are divided into four groups of four. The top two sides from each group will progress to the quarter-finals. All matches kick off at 6pm or later local time, unlike the 2025 edition, when some teams played at 3pm in extreme mid-summer heat.<\/p>\n
Who are the favourites?<\/p>\n
The competition\u2019s most successful competitors, Nigeria, achieved \u201cMission X\u201d and won their 10th Wafcon title in 2025<\/a>, and it is difficult to look past them this time. They have retained the core of that squad, captained by Rasheedat Ajibade, but will be without the defender Ashleigh Plumptre because of a foot injury. The striker Asisat Oshoala and the goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie headline their squad.<\/p>\n Nigeria, who defeated Morocco in last year\u2019s final, are aiming for a record-extending 11th Wafcon title. Photograph: Abdel Majid Bziouat\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Morocco have been the runners-up in the past two editions and will be looking to go one better, especially as this could be the last in their trio of home tournaments. The 2028 Wafcon is set to be held elsewhere.<\/p>\n Other strong candidates are the 2022 champions, South Africa, who have an experienced squad, and Zambia, who were bronze medallists in 2022 and quarter-finalists in 2025.<\/p>\n
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