Your Complete Guide To The 2024 Women’s Africa Cup Of Nations (WAFCON)

Despite the “2024” label, the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is about to start. Morocco will host the rest of Africa in a much-anticipated, exciting competition from July 5 to July 26.

The competition is back in action after being postponed for 19 months to avoid conflicts with the Olympics.

Rabat, Casablanca, Mohammédia, Oujda, and Berkane are the five cities where it will be performed in six different locations.

Key stadiums consist of:

• Rabat Olympic Stadium (21 k seats) – which will host the Opening and the Final matches.

• The other stadia are: Stade Larbi Zaouli (Casablanca, 30 k capacity), Stade Père Jégo, Stade El Bachir, Stade d’Honneur (Oujda), and Stade Municipal de Berkane.

12 national teams divided into 3 groups of 4. After group stage, top two from each group plus the two best third‑placed sides advance.

Groups:

A: Morocco, Zambia, Senegal, DR Congo

B: Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria, Botswana

C: South Africa, Ghana, Mali, Tanzania

Group Stage Fixtures (GMT)

Matchday 1 (July 5–7)

Jul 5, 20:00 – Morocco vs Zambia (‘A’) – Rabat

Jul 6, 14:00 – Senegal vs DR Congo (‘A’) – Mohammédia

Jul 6, 17:00 – Nigeria vs Tunisia (‘B’) – Casablanca

Jul 6, 19:00 – Algeria vs Botswana (‘B’) – Casablanca

Jul 7, 16:00 – South Africa vs Ghana (‘C’) – Oujda

Jul 7, 19:00 – Mali vs Tanzania (‘C’) – Berkane

Matchday 2 (July 9–11)

Jul 9, 16:00 – Zambia vs Senegal (‘A’) – Mohammédia

Jul 9, 19:00 – DR Congo vs Morocco (‘A’) – Rabat

Jul 10, 13:00 – Tunisia vs Algeria (‘B’) – Casablanca

Jul 10, 13:00 – Botswana vs Nigeria (‘B’) – Casablanca

Jul 11, 13:00 – Ghana vs Mali (‘C’) – Berkane

Jul 11, 13:00 – Tanzania vs South Africa (‘C’) – Oujda

Matchday 3 (July 12–14)

Jul 12, 20:00 – Morocco vs Senegal (‘A’) – Rabat

Jul 12, 20:00 – Zambia vs DR Congo (‘A’) – Mohammédia

Jul 13, 20:00 – Nigeria vs Algeria (‘B’) – Casablanca

Jul 13, 20:00 – Tunisia vs Botswana (‘B’) – Casablanca

Jul 14, 20:00 – South Africa vs Mali (‘C’) – Oujda

Jul 14, 20:00 – Ghana vs Tanzania (‘C’) – Berkane

Knockout Phase

Quarterfinals: July 18 & 19

Semifinals: July 22

Third-place playoff: July 25

Final: July 26 (21:00, Rabat Olympic)

Extras:

Morocco leverages its experience from 2022 and the Men’s AFCON to deliver again, with top-tier facilities.

Many teams—Nigeria, Zambia, South Africa—are entering with unresolved payment and contract disputes, fueling calls for better CAF governance.

Kyerewaa Bonsu: The Emerging Star Of The Black Queens

Meanwhile, South Africa (defending champions) are aiming for consecutive titles.

Nigeria seeks record 10th WAFCON/11th title.

Zambia brings NWSL talents like Barbra Banda, Racheal Kundananji.

Morocco with newly hired Jorge Vilda (former Spain coach), looking to go further on home soil.

With 12 teams and global scouting, it’s Africa’s top ladies’ football event outside the Olympics/World Cup.

This tournament is the first edition with a new trophy, 12-team format, and massive CAF investment of ($2.4M prize pot).

World qualifying stakes: Acts as a qualifier and showcase for women’s global football prospects.

Opening match — Jul 5: Morocco vs Zambia.

Key knockout dates: QFs (Jul 18–19), semis (Jul 22), final (Jul 26)