Historic 16-team Women’s Afcon draw set for 15 January

The road to Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) glory — and the 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup — officially begins on 15 January, when the draw for the TotalEnergies Caf Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 is conducted for a historic, expanded tournament.

For the first time in the competition’s history, 16 nations will be placed into the draw, marking an increase of four teams from the previous edition played in 2025. Cosafa representatives Malawi, South Africa and Zambia will be among those discovering their group-stage opponents as the continent’s elite prepare for a high-stakes finals in Morocco from 17 March to 3 April.

World Cup tickets on the line

Beyond continental supremacy, the upcoming Wafcon carries added weight, as it will serve as Africa’s qualification tournament for the 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup. The goal is clear: reach the semifinals in Morocco and book a ticket to the global showpiece.

That reality raises the stakes across the board, particularly for nations that have recently established themselves on the world stage. Three years ago, South Africa and Nigeria represented the continent at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand alongside debutants Zambia and Morocco. In 2023, the African contingent featured Banyana Banyana, Cameroon and the Super Falcons.

Nigeria the benchmark, South Africa eye redemption

Nigeria will head into the tournament as the reigning champions after lifting a record-extending 10th Wafcon title at the 2025 edition. Their dominance ensures they remain the benchmark for the rest of the continent.

South Africa, meanwhile, will travel to Morocco with unfinished business. At the last finals held in Morocco, Banyana Banyana finished fourth, narrowly missing out on a medal after losing the bronze-medal match to Ghana on penalties. That result is likely to place South Africa among the top seeds for the upcoming draw.

Hosts Morocco will headline group A, with Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa expected to complete the seeded nations, setting the stage for a fiercely competitive group phase.

Cosafa presence grows

The inclusion of Malawi and Zambia alongside South Africa underlines Cosafa’s growing influence in women’s football. Zambia’s rise over recent years, coupled with Malawi’s continued progress, ensures the region will once again be closely watched when the draw is made.

Also qualified for the tournament are Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Kenya, Mali, Senegal and Tanzania, completing a diverse and competitive 16-team lineup.

On 15 January, Malawi, South Africa and Zambia — along with the rest of Africa — will learn their fate. From there, the race to the semifinals, and ultimately the world stage, truly begins.

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