Ghana’s Black Queens have been drawn into a manageable yet competitive group for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) following the official draw held in Salé, Morocco.
Ghana will compete in Group D alongside Cameroon, Mali and Cape Verde, with all their group-stage matches set to be played in the historic city of Fes. The tournament, once again hosted by Morocco, will run from March 17 to April 3.
The draw marks a return to familiar surroundings for the Black Queens, who impressed at the previous edition—also staged in Morocco—by finishing third overall after defeating South Africa in the third-place playoff.
Group D promises stiff competition. Cameroon bring pedigree and physical presence, Mali continue to grow in consistency at continental level, while Cape Verde remain one of the fastest-rising forces in African women’s football. Despite the challenges, Ghana will take confidence from their recent progress and renewed direction under head coach Kim Lars Kim Björkegren.
Reacting to the draw, the Swedish tactician expressed optimism about Ghana’s prospects.
“I am looking forward to the tournament. When I came, Ghana were ranked sixth in Africa, but we are now third and seeded for the competition. We will push to do better this time,” Björkegren said.
Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku also reiterated the country’s long-term ambition of lifting the continental title.
“Our ambition is to win the WAFCON trophy, and we are not too far from that,” he stated.
Beyond continental honours, WAFCON 2026 carries added significance as it will double as a qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, set to be hosted in Brazil. The four semi-finalists will secure automatic tickets to the global showpiece.
For Ghana, the draw offers both opportunity and motivation. The Black Queens have not featured at the Women’s World Cup since 2007, and a strong campaign in Morocco would not only reaffirm their status among Africa’s elite but also end a long wait for a return to the world stage.
