The 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is set to begin on Saturday, 5 July, with Morocco hosting the finals for a second successive edition.
The tournament, originally scheduled for 2024, was postponed by a year due to calendar conflicts.
The opening game will see hosts Morocco face Zambia at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, kicking off a tournament that features 12 of the best women’s national teams in Africa.
Nine-time champions Nigeria begin their Group B campaign against Tunisia, while defending champions South Africa start their title defence against Ghana in Group C on Monday, 7 July.
Nigeria’s Deborah Abiodun. Photo Credit: Getty Images
Tournament Format and Groups
The 12 qualified teams are divided into three groups:
- Group A: Morocco, Zambia, Senegal, DR Congo
- Group B: Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria, Botswana
- Group C: South Africa, Ghana, Mali, Tanzania
Zambia striker Barbra Banda. Photo Credit: Getty Images
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The top two teams in each group, plus the two best third-placed teams, advance to the quarter-finals.
WAFCON 2024 Group Stage Fixtures
Saturday 5 July
- Group A: Morocco vs Zambia, Olympic Stadium, Rabat (20:00)
Sunday 6 July
- Group A: Senegal vs Ivory Coast, El Bachir Stadium, Mohammedia (14:00)
- Group B: Nigeria vs Tunisia, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca (16:00)
- Group B: Algeria vs Botswana, Pere Jego Stadium, Casablanca (19:00)
Monday 7 July
Bafana Bafana of South Africa Striker Hilda Magaia. Photo Credit:Getty Images
- Group C: South Africa vs Ghana, Honneur Stadium, Oujda (16:00)
- Group C: Mali vs Tanzania, Berkane Stadium, Berkane (19:00)
Wednesday 9 July
- Group A: Zambia vs Senegal, Mohammedia (16:00)
- Group A: DR Congo vs Morocco, Rabat (19:00)
Thursday 10 July
- Group B: Botswana vs Nigeria, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca (16:00)
- Group B: Tunisia vs Algeria, Pere Jego Stadium, Casablanca (19:00)
Friday 11 July
- Group C: Ghana vs Mali, Berkane (16:00)
- Group C: Tanzania vs South Africa, Oujda (19:00)
Saturday 12 July
- Group A: Morocco vs Senegal, Rabat (19:00)
Photo Credit: Getty Images
- Group A: Zambia vs DR Congo, Mohammedia (19:00)
Sunday 13 July
- Group B: Nigeria vs Algeria, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca (19:00)
- Group B: Tunisia vs Botswana, Pere Jego Stadium, Casablanca (19:00)
Monday 14 July
- Group C: South Africa vs Mali, Oujda (19:00)
- Group C: Ghana vs Tanzania, Berkane (19:00)
Quarter-Finals
Friday 18 July
- QF1: Group A Winner vs Group C/B 3rd Place, Rabat (19:00)
- QF2: Group B Winner vs Group A Runner-Up, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca (16:00)
Saturday 19 July
- QF3: Group C Winner vs Group A/B 3rd Place, Oujda (19:00)
- QF4: Group B Runner-Up vs Group C Runner-Up, Berkane (16:00)
Semi-Finals
Tuesday 22 July
- SF1: Winner QF1 vs Winner QF4, Rabat (19:00)
- SF2: Winner QF2 vs Winner QF3, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca (16:00)
Third Place Match
Friday 25 July
- SF1 Loser vs SF2 Loser, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca (19:00)
WAFCON 2024 Final
Saturday 26 July
- SF1 Winner vs SF2 Winner, Olympic Stadium, Rabat (20:00)
Venues and Stadiums
As Morocco prepares to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, the country has upgraded its infrastructure and selected six stadiums across five cities:
- Olympic Stadium, Rabat (21,000 capacity)
- El Bachir Stadium, Mohammedia (15,000)
- Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca (30,000)
- Pere Jego Stadium, Casablanca (10,000)
- Honneur Stadium, Oujda (19,800)
- Berkane Stadium, Berkane (15,000)
Who Are the Title Contenders?
Only Nigeria and South Africa have previously lifted the trophy.
South Africa won the 2022 WAFCON. Photo Credit: Getty Images
Nigeria, led by coach Justin Madugu, are seeking a first title since 2018. With Chiamaka Nnadozie in goal and Asisat Oshoala up front, the Super Falcons have star power and pedigree.
South Africa, coached by Desiree Ellis, are defending champions but will be without Thembi Kgatlana. Forwards Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hilda Magaia are expected to shoulder the attacking responsibility.
Zambia, third-place finishers in 2022, return with Barbra Banda, the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year 2024, and strike partner Racheal Kundananji—both among the highest-paid players in the women’s game.
Morocco will be managed by Jorge Vilda, who led Spain to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup title. Despite rising investment in women’s football, the hosts are still chasing their first WAFCON crown.
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Outside these favourites, only Ghana have previously reached a final, doing so in 1998, 2002, and 2006.
