Ghana’s senior women’s national team, the Black Queens, have been placed in a challenging group for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) following Thursday’s final draw at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Morocco.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) conducted the draw on January 15, seeding Ghana in Pot 1 alongside hosts Morocco, defending champions Nigeria, and South Africa, based on the FIFA Women’s World Ranking released on December 11, 2025.

The expanded tournament will feature 16 teams for the first time in WAFCON history, divided into four groups of four.

Ghana have been drawn into Group D, where they will face Cameroon, Mali, and Cape Verde. The group promises stiff competition, with Cameroon and Mali known for their tactical and physical strengths, while Cape Verde continues to emerge as a rising force on the continent.

As hosts, Morocco were automatically placed in Group A, Nigeria anchored Group C, and South Africa lead Group B, leaving the Black Queens to complete the final seeding in Group D.

The tournament format sees the top two teams from each group advance to the knockout stages, beginning with the quarter-finals. The competition also serves as part of the qualification pathway for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027, adding extra weight to each fixture.

With the draw confirmed, the Black Queens now shift focus to preparations, aiming to navigate a demanding group and reassert themselves among Africa’s top women’s football nations.