Harambee Starlets to know their WAFCON group stage rivals next week

According to a statement on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) website, the draw for the 16-team tournament is scheduled for 3pm EAT.

The 2026 edition marks a historic moment for the competition, featuring an expanded 16-team field for the first time, up from the previous 12.

The finals will be held from March 17 to April 2 pitting hosts Morocco, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia.

The Beldine Odemba-coached Harambee Starlets made a return to the continental showpiece following a dominant qualification campaign in 2025, where they defeated The Gambia with a 4-1 aggregate scoreline to book a slot in the tournament for the first time since their maiden appearance in 2016.

Malawi and Cape Verde will be the only rookies at the tournament, whose defending champions are 10-times winners Nigeria.

Beyond the race for the continental crown carries high stakes since four teams that will qualify into the semi-finals will automatically book a place in FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.

And there will also be two additional nations to be considered for intercontinental play-offs — thus giving an opportunity for the Harambee Starlets to etch more history by qualifying for their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Besides the draw, CAF also announced that it will announce the winners of the CAF Women’s Coach of the Year award, along with other accolades on the same day, recognising outstanding achievements in women’s football across the continent.