WAFCON 2026: Why Morocco could finally win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations

WAFCON 2026: Why Morocco could finally win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco have spent four years building one of Africa’s most complete teams. With momentum, maturity and opportunity finally converging, WAFCON 2026 could be the tournament where the Atlas Lionesses’ project reaches its ultimate reward. Football has a fascinating way of making long-term projects look like overnight successes. A team reaches a major final, qualifies for a World Cup or lifts a historic trophy, and the conversation immediately turns to surprise. But as we know, the best football teams are shaped over years through investment, continuity and an unwavering commitment to a clear identity. Morocco’s journey embodies that truth. As the Atlas Lionesses prepare for another Women’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final, much of the discussion has focused on the tournament bracket. Nigeria are out. South Africa are out. Two of the continent’s most successful teams will not compete for this year’s title. However, reducing Morocco’s opportunity to the absence of others misses the point entirely. Morocco are favourites because they have quietly evolved into one of Africa’s most balanced, tactically disciplined and complete teams. This tournament has not created Morocco’s opportunity. It has simply revealed the progress they have been making since 2022. A journey four years in the making When Morocco hosted the 2022 WAFCON, expectations were high but belief remained cautious. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation had invested heavily in women’s football, yet few expected the hosts to challenge the continent’s elite. Instead, they changed the conversation. After defeating Botswana in the quarter-finals, Morocco overcame Nigeria in a dramatic penalty shootout to reach their first-ever WAFCON final. Although they eventually lost 2–1 to South Africa, that tournament achieved something far greater than silverware. It gave Morocco belief that they belonged at the highest level. That belief followed them to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Embed from Getty Images Rather than simply celebrating qualification and being satisfied with just being present, Morocco bounced back from an heavy opening loss and defeated South Korea and Colombia to become the first Arab nation to reach the knockout stage of a Women’s World Cup. Those performances confirmed that their run to the WAFCON final had not been a product of home advantage alone. It was the result of a national project beginning to bear fruit. Fast forward to WAFCON 2026, and Morocco no longer look like an emerging nation trying to prove itself. They look like a side expecting to win. Morocco have been the most complete team at WAFCON 2026 The strongest case for Morocco is found in their coherence, their tenacity and how every match unlocks another level performance. Through four matches, the Atlas Lionesses remain unbeaten. They have won three games, drawn one, scored seven goals and conceded just once. More impressively, they completed the group stage without conceding a goal for the first time in the country’s WAFCON history. Those numbers tell an important story. Morocco average 1.75 goals per game while conceding just 0.25. They have paired attacking efficiency with defensive control, striking the balance that often separates genuine contenders from entertaining outsiders. Their opening 4–0 victory over Kenya immediately showcased that balance. Embed from Getty Images Morocco dominated possession without becoming predictable, patiently circulating the ball before accelerating attacks in the final third. Sakina Ouzraoui Diki opened the scoring before Maryame Atiq and Ibtissam Jraïdi extended the advantage. Even the fourth goal reflected Morocco’s sustained pressure, forcing Kenya into a defensive mistake after relentless attacking sequences. The performance demonstrated Morocco’s ability to control every phase of the game. The narrow 1–0 victory over Algeria revealed another side of the Atlas Lionesses. Faced with a disciplined defensive block, Morocco resisted the temptation to force the issue. Instead, they trusted their structure, recycled possession and continued stretching Algeria across the width of the pitch until substitute Sanaa Mssoudy struck the decisive goal in the 84th minute. Championship teams know that not every victory has to be spectacular. Sometimes patience is the greatest weapon. Then came the quarter-final against South Africa. For many observers, this was Morocco’s defining test. Four years earlier, Banyana Banyana had denied them a first continental title. This time, the Atlas Lionesses produced one of their most complete performances of the tournament. Sakina Ouzraoui’s well-taken opener rewarded Morocco’s positive start before Hanane Aït El Haj calmly converted a second-half penalty to secure a deserved 2–1 victory. Beyond the scoreline, however, the performance reflected a pivotal part of the hosts’ system. Morocco never abandoned their structure, even after South Africa responded. They remained compact, disciplined and patient before reclaiming control of the game. That is how champions behave. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Football Morocco (@footballxmorocco) A system that works for Morocco Rather than imposing a rigid philosophy, manager Jorge Vilda has adapted his ideas to the strengths of his squad. Morocco remain committed to building from the back, but possession is used to control matches rather than dominate statistics. Out of possession, the Atlas Lionesses defend in a compact 4-4-2 mid-block. The distances between midfield and defence remain deliberately short, preventing opponents from progressing through central areas. Instead of pressing recklessly, Morocco patiently guide opponents towards the flanks before triggering coordinated pressing traps near the touchline. That defensive discipline explains why Morocco conceded just one goal in four matches. In possession, the picture changes completely. Against Kenya, Morocco repeatedly created overloads on the right flank. Zineb Redouani’s advanced positioning pinned Kenya’s left winger deep, allowing Sakina Ouzraoui to drift into the half-space and receive between the lines. Those rotations continually forced Kenya’s defenders into difficult decisions and created the spaces from which Morocco generated their best opportunities. View this post on Instagram A post shared by CAF Women’s Football (@cafwomenfootball) The same pattern emerged throughout the group stage. With Redouani providing width, the wingers moved inside while central midfielders supported underneath, temporarily transforming Morocco’s attacking structure into a fluid 2-3-5. The movement created numerical superiority in wide areas without sacrificing defensive balance behind the ball. These dynamic attacking patterns are carefully rehearsed mechanisms that have become central to Morocco’s identity. Morocco are no longer a one-player team Perhaps the biggest compliment that can be paid to Morocco is that they no longer depend on Ghizlane Chebbak. The captain remains the emotional and technical heartbeat of the team. Her understanding of space, movement between the lines and ability to dictate attacking rhythm continue to make her one of Africa’s finest footballers. Ironically, Morocco’s evolution has made Chebbak even more dangerous. Four years ago, almost every attack flowed through her. Today, opponents cannot focus on stopping one player because threats emerge from every line of the pitch. Embed from Getty Images Sakina Ouzraoui has delivered decisive goals and intelligent movement in attack. Sanaa Mssoudy has changed matches from the bench, while Ibtissam Jraïdi continues to provide a reliable presence inside the penalty area. Yasmin Mrabet has quietly become one of the tournament’s most influential midfielders, controlling possession and protecting the defence with remarkable composure. Meanwhile, Nouhaila Benzina has developed into one of the continent’s most dependable centre-backs, and goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi has offered the calm assurance every title-winning side requires. Seven goals have come through multiple attacking contributors.That statistic alone illustrates how far Morocco have come. Why this could finally be Morocco’s WAFCON Every great football nation experiences a moment when preparation finally meets opportunity. For Morocco, this feels like that moment. The Atlas Lionesses have reached two consecutive WAFCON finals. They have progressed beyond the group stage of a Women’s World Cup. They have built one of the strongest defensive units in Africa while maintaining enough attacking quality to hurt opponents in different ways. Most importantly, they have developed a clear football identity. Yes, the exits of Nigeria and South Africa have altered the landscape. However, Morocco’s case for winning this tournament extends far beyond the absence of familiar rivals.They have earned the right to be considered favourites through their performances. Embed from Getty Images Through four matches, they have defended with discipline, attacked with variety and managed games with a maturity that was absent just a few years ago. They no longer rely on moments of inspiration. Instead, they trust a system capable of producing consistent performances regardless of the opponent. Four years ago, Morocco surprised Africa. Two years later, they surprised the world. This summer, nothing about Morocco should surprise anyone anymore. They are no longer chasing the continent’s elite. They are now one of the elites. If the Atlas Lionesses finally lift the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations trophy, history will remember the celebration. Those who have watched this journey closely will know the truth. The title, if it comes, will not have been won over the next two matches. It will have been won over the past four years. Related articles from Her Football Hub: WAFCON 2026: Beyond the Chawinga sisters, why Malawi could win Women’s Africa Cup of Nations WAFCON 2026: The shift of a new era in African football and the representation it is providing WAFCON: Rui Costa is the architect behind Cape Verde’s meteoric rise