New Champion Expected at 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations

The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco will see a new champion emerge, as defending champions Nigeria and 2022 winners South Africa were eliminated in the quarter-finals. The Super Falcons were defeated by Cameroon, with Myriam Wam scoring a decisive 19th-minute free-kick.

This marked Cameroon’s second victory over Nigeria in the competition. In a separate match, hosts Morocco defeated South Africa 2-1, securing a place in the semi-finals and qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Nigeria has historically dominated the tournament, winning 10 of the previous 13 editions, but with their exit, Morocco is now among the favorites to win their first title. The competition has no previous champions in the semi-finals, as Equatorial Guinea has not qualified since 2018.

The four semi-finalists will automatically qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.