The race to Morocco 2026 is entering its final lap. With the last round of qualifiers for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for October, Nigeria’s Super Falcons, record 10-time champions, and Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses headline a mouthwatering lineup of fixtures.

Nigeria will square up against the She-Cheetahs of Benin Republic, while Cameroon, twice runners-up, face a tricky hurdle against Algeria’s Lady Fennecs one of the fastest-rising sides in African women’s football.

The Lionesses, who fell short of qualification for the last edition, will have it all to do. Algeria impressed in Morocco earlier this year, holding Nigeria and Tunisia to goalless draws, edging Botswana, and pushing Ghana to a penalty shootout in the quarter-finals. Cameroon, on the other hand, are still reeling from their 0–2 friendly defeat to Nigeria in Abeokuta just before the 2024 finals.

For the Falcons, the road looks relatively smoother on paper. Justine Madugu’s side will first travel to Benin before hosting the return leg. The She-Cheetahs earned their spot by overcoming Sierra Leone 5–2 on aggregate, winning both legs played on neutral grounds due to venue challenges.

Elsewhere, Senegal’s Lionesses quarter-finalists in Morocco have been handed a daunting test against Cote d’Ivoire. Powerhouses like South Africa, Zambia, and Ghana also enter decisive battles as 11 tickets are up for grabs. Winners will join hosts Morocco for the 2026 finals, set for March.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. Beyond continental glory, the semi-finalists in Morocco will automatically qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with two more African slots available through intercontinental playoffs.

Looking further ahead, FIFA has announced that the Women’s World Cup will expand to 48 teams starting from 2031 to be co-hosted by Mexico and the USA.

2026 Women’s AFCON Final Round Fixtures

Angola vs. Malawi

DR Congo vs. South Africa

Tanzania vs. Ethiopia

Namibia vs. Zambia

Burkina Faso vs. Togo

Algeria vs. Cameroon

Egypt vs. Ghana

Kenya vs. Gambia

Benin Republic vs. Nigeria

Cape Verde vs. Mali

Senegal vs. Cote d’Ivoire