Morocco Hosts 16-Team Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2026

Morocco's national women's football team has earned another chance to make history at home, and this time the stage is bigger than ever.

The draw for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations took place today in Rabat, placing Morocco's Atlas Lionesses in Group A alongside Senegal, Algeria, and Kenya. The tournament runs from March 17 to April 3 and marks a major milestone as African football expands the competition from 12 to 16 teams.

Morocco has steadily climbed the ranks of African women's football over the past few years. The team reached the tournament final in 2022, losing to South Africa, then returned to the final in 2025 where Nigeria claimed victory. Now hosting for the third consecutive edition, the Atlas Lionesses have their best shot yet at converting near misses into a championship.

The expanded format brings fresh energy to the tournament. Group B features defending champions South Africa alongside Tanzania, Burkina Faso, and Côte d'Ivoire. Group C includes Nigeria, the competition's most decorated nation, with Zambia, Egypt, and Malawi. Group D rounds out with Cameroon, Ghana, Mali, and Cape Verde.

The ceremony took place at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, a fitting venue for a tournament that showcases how far women's football has come across the continent. Adding four more teams means more nations get the chance to compete at the highest level and inspire the next generation of players back home.

The Ripple Effect

Morocco's hosting duties extend beyond organizing matches. Each tournament builds infrastructure, trains officials, and creates opportunities for women in sports management and media. The country's investment in women's football has already sparked growth programs across North Africa, with more girls picking up the sport at youth levels.

The Atlas Lionesses face a demanding group stage, but they enter with experience that earlier Moroccan teams could only dream of. Two consecutive finals appearances have built confidence and tactical maturity. Playing at home adds pressure, but it also means packed stadiums and a nation united behind one goal.

The 16 teams gathering in Morocco this March represent more than competition. They represent progress, opportunity, and the growing power of women's sport across an entire continent.