The 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations: An Overview
The much-anticipated **2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations** is set to kick off on Sunday, marking the 16th edition of this prestigious tournament. Originally scheduled for March, the event has been rescheduled to take place in July and August in Morocco, where 16 teams will vie for the highly sought-after trophy. The participating nations have been divided into four groups, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the quarter-finals. This year’s tournament holds significant importance, as the four semi-finalists will automatically qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, while two additional teams will have the opportunity to secure their spots through inter-confederation play-offs.
Defending champions Nigeria, who hold the record with ten titles, will be aiming to reclaim the trophy after their victory over Morocco in the last tournament, while South Africa previously clinched the title in 2022. As the competition approaches, fans are eager to see which teams will shine on the continental stage.
Inès Belloumou: West Ham's Star Representation
Among the athletes representing West Ham United at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is **Inès Belloumou**, the only player from the West Ham women’s team participating in this year's tournament, proudly wearing the colors of Algeria. Belloumou made a significant switch in her international allegiance from France to Algeria at the beginning of 2025 and made her mark on the international scene during her debut at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations the following summer. She showcased her skills with an impressive defensive performance, contributing to her team’s journey to the quarter-finals, where they were ultimately eliminated in a tense penalty shootout against Ghana after a goalless draw.
Her outstanding performances earned her the title of Algeria's **2025 Player of the Year**, highlighting her impact on the field. Inès Belloumou and her teammates have been drawn in Group A, alongside the host nation Morocco, Senegal, and Kenya. Their campaign kicks off against Senegal at Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Sunday, July 26, at 6 PM BST. Following this, they will face Morocco on Thursday, July 30, at 9 PM BST at Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, before concluding their group stage matches against Kenya on Monday, August 3, at 9 PM BST at Al Medina Stadium in Rabat.
The tournament's quarter-finals are scheduled for August 8-9, with the semi-finals taking place on August 12, and the final match set for August 16. Additionally, there will be a third-place playoff on August 15 for the teams that fall short in the semi-finals, making for an exciting conclusion to this year's tournament.
As reported by whufc.com.
