2026 WAFCON to produce new champion

The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) will determine a new champion as defending champions Nigeria and 2022 winners South Africa were eliminated in the quarter-finals, according to PUNCH Sports Extra. Myriam Wam scored a stunning 19th-minute free-kick, granting Cameroon their second victory over Nigeria in the competition.

Earlier, hosts Morocco defeated South Africa 2-1 in Rabat, securing their spot in the semi-finals and a ticket to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. South Africa had won the 2022 edition prior to Nigeria reclaiming the title in 2024, which took place in 2025. Equatorial Guinea, another previous champion, has not qualified for the tournament since 2018, leaving only Morocco without a previous champion in the semi-finals.

Nigeria holds the record for the most WAFCON titles, having won 10 out of the previous 13 editions. The competition has seen a shift in dominance since its inception in 1998, with Equatorial Guinea interrupting Nigeria's reign in 2008. Despite Nigeria's recent success, they are now among the favorites to win their first WAFCON title alongside Morocco, with Algeria, Cameroon, and either Ghana or Malawi as other contenders.

The semi-finalists will automatically qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, while the quarter-final losers will participate in a play-off tournament to determine Africa's two representatives for the inter-confederation play-offs. Nigeria will face South Africa on Thursday in Casablanca to secure one of the remaining routes to the 2027 World Cup.