Draw Held for TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 Qualifiers

By: Gyang Dakwo

The journey to the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2026, is set start after the draw for the qualifiers was held at the headquarters of the Confederation African Football (CAF) in Cairo on Thursday.

The draw unveiled the match-ups that will determine the teams advancing to this prestigious continental tournament to be held in Morocco.

A total of 38 African nations will compete for the 12 available spots in the final phase, alongside host nation Morocco, which qualifies automatically.

This marks the third consecutive time that Morocco will host Africa’s premier women’s football competition, reinforcing the country’s pivotal role in developing and promoting the sport across the continent.

The reigning champions, South Africa, are among the six nations exempted from the first round due to their high ranking among Africa’s top teams in the FIFA rankings. Joining them with exemptions are Zambia, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Cameroon.

These dominant teams are expected to make a strong impact as they enter the competition in the second round.

The qualifiers will take place in two rounds of home-and-away matches, promising intense and decisive encounters.

The first-round fixtures are scheduled from February 17 to 26, 2025, while the second round will occur between October 20 and 28, 2025.

This qualification process will highlight emerging forces in African women’s football while showcasing the growing competitiveness of established nations. The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is poised to be a celebration of the talent and passion that drive the sport on the continent.