The year 2026 will present a big test for the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana as they embark on a mission to qualify for their third FIFA Women’s World Cup in a row.
Dr Desiree Ellis led the 2022 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) champions to their first global participation in France in 2019 and followed that up four years later with the World Cup hosted jointly by Australia and New Zealand in 2023.
It will also be a huge task for women’s football on the continent as they battle it out for the four places at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that the draw for the 2026 WAFCON will be held on Thursday, 15 January in Rabat, Morocco – which will also host the tournament.
This year’s women’s continental football showpiece will take place from 17 March to 3 April.
For the first time ever, 16 nations will go into the hat – an increase of four countries from the previous edition held barely six months ago (July 2025).
Alongside Morocco, the qualified teams are South Africa, defending champions Nigeria, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Senegal, Tanzania and Zambia as well as debutants Malawi and Cape Verde.
All the top 10 ranked nations on the continent will be taking part in the tournament – with Malawi the lowest ranked at 32.
| Team | Appearances | 1st Appearance | Last Appearance | Best Performance | African Ranking | World Ranking |
| Nigeria | 14th | 1998 | 2024 | Champions – 10x (1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2024) | 1 | 37 |
| South Africa | 14th | 1998 | 2024 | Champions (2022) | 2 | 55 |
| Ghana | 12th | 1998 | 2024 | 2nd (1998, 2002, 2006) | 3 | 62 |
| Zambia | 5th | 2014 | 2024 | 3rd (2022) | 4 | 64 |
| Morocco | 5th | 1998 | 2024 | 2nd (2022, 2024) | 5 | 66 |
| Cameroon | 13th | 1998 | 2022 | 2nd (2004, 2014, 2016) | 6 | 70 |
| Ivory Coast | 3rd | 2012 | 2014 | 3rd (2014) | 7 | 72 |
| Algeria | 7th | 2004 | 2024 | Quarter-finals (2024) | 8 | 73 |
| Senegal | 4th | 2012 | 2024 | Quarter-finals (2022, 2024) | 9 | 81 |
| Mali | 9th | 2002 | 2024 | 4th (2018) | 10 | 85 |
| Egypt | 3rd | 1998 | 2016 | Group Stage (1998, 2016) | 13 | 101 |
| Burkina Faso | 2nd | 2022 | 2022 | Ground Stage (2022) | 16 | 118 |
| Cape Verde | 1st | Debut | 17 | 119 | ||
| Tanzania | 3rd | 2010 | 2024 | Group Stage (2010, 2024) | 18 | 121 |
| Kenya | 2nd | 2016 | 2016 | Group Stage (2016) | 21 | 133 |
| Malawi | 1st | Debut | 32 | 153 | ||
The 2024 WAFCON (played in 2025) was won by Nigeria – marking a record 10 titles. There was little pressure for the nations at the time, but for the upcoming competition all 16 countries are well aware they need to reach the semi-finals in Morocco to book their tickets to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Three years ago, Banyana Banyana were at the global tournament in Australasia alongside Nigeria as well as debutants Zambia and Morocco – while in 2023 it was South Africa, Cameroon and the Super Falcons of Nigeria who represented the continent.
In Morocco last year, Banyana Banyana finished fourth behind champions Nigeria, runners-up Morocco and bronze-medallists Ghana.
The South Africans had a successful 2025 where they registered an impressive 11 wins in 15 matches – losing two and sharing the spoils in the same number of matches.
Among others, they faced African powerhouses like Nigeria, Zambia, Ghana and Morocco.
The 2022 African Champions were last in action early in December 2025 in Agadir, and wrapped up the year with a 2-nil victory over a stubborn Morocco.
Nonhlanhla Mthandi and Noxolo Cesane – both of Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies – were on the scoresheet.
Banyana Banyana 2025 results:
Matches:
15
Opponents:
11 countries
Wins:
11
Draws:
2
Losses:
2
By Matlhomola Morake
