The final draw for this year's women's AFCON took place in Rabat, Morocco, on Thursday. The four groups will lead to some already highly anticipated encounters.

Rabat

The official draw for the 2026 Women's African Cup of Nations took place in Rabat, Morocco, announcing group matchups for the expanded 16-team tournament. The opening round will see Morocco face Algeria, while Nigeria, the ten-time champions, are grouped with Malawi, Egypt, and Zambia.

Other notable groupings include Senegal and Kenya together, and Ivory Coast, South Africa, Burkina Faso, and Tanzania in Group B. The tournament will be held in Morocco, with matches scheduled in Rabat, Casablanca, and Fes, just nine months after the previous edition.

Women's AFCON 2026: groups announced after final draw

As Algeria is announced, the whole audience in Rabat starts to smile. The draw for the Women's African Cup of Nations on Thursday led to a surprise clash between Algeria and Morocco right at the beginning of the tournament. And additionally, Senegal and Kenya ended up in the same group, making for a formidable challenge for the lionesses of the atlas. Their trainer, however, did not flinch. We have clear our philosophy, we have clear that we have skills to improve and we are working on that and have the best players with big talent players. We have all and now it's hard work, it's talent and shuia luck. After two home final matches lost after the other, the Moroccans are aiming for the first title this time. Meanwhile, Nigeria, ten times winner, will be facing Malawi, Egypt and especially Zambia. The Copper Queens were crushed by the Super Falcons with a 5-0 match in the last edition. This time around we know it's not going to be easy, using the experience of the last game. They will come out with vengeance and they want revenge and we on our part are not going to rest on our horse because we also want to prove that yes, we were better and that was why we equally won. So it's going to be a tough one, it's not going to be an easy game but then we will be ready for it. For the first time ever, 16 teams will be taking part. Ivory Coast, South Africa, Burkina Faso and Tanzania are in group B. Ghana, Cameroon, Mali and Cape Verde are in group D. The women's football matches in Africa are continuing almost non-stop as this Cup of Nations will be taking place just nine months after the last edition. Matches are set to take place here in Morocco, in Rabat, Casablanca and Fes. Karim Baldé for Africa News in Rabat.

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Minneapolis

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Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

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California

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Venezuela Strikes

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Sikhio District

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Ottawa

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London

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Breakdown