South Africa’s women’s national team, Banyana Banyana, have received a favourable group draw for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), scheduled to take place in Morocco from March 17 to April 3.

Placed in Group B, the reigning continental contenders will face Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Tanzania as they chase a top-four finish that guarantees qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

After falling short in their bid to defend the 2022 title following a semi-final exit at the last edition, head coach Desiree Ellis and her squad return with renewed determination and belief. The upcoming tournament presents an opportunity for South Africa to reclaim the crown and further cement their status among Africa’s elite in women’s football.

The draw, conducted in Rabat on Thursday evening, sees Banyana Banyana playing their group-stage matches at the Rabat Al Madina Stadium — one of the standout venues from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals, renowned for its vibrant atmosphere.

As one of the tournament’s top four seeds, South Africa enter the competition with confidence. Their Group B opponents, while competitive, boast comparatively limited WAFCON experience. Ivory Coast have featured three times in the competition, most recently in 2014, Burkina Faso made their sole appearance in 2022, while Tanzania have participated twice, including the last finals in Morocco in August 2025.

Banyana Banyana’s pedigree at the tournament is unquestionable, having appeared in all 14 previous editions of the WAFCON. They are also one of just three nations to have lifted the trophy, alongside record champions Nigeria and two-time winners Equatorial Guinea.

With the top two teams from each of the four groups advancing to the knockout stage — where World Cup qualification will be on the line — the stakes are high. Having already featured at the last two FIFA Women’s World Cups, South Africa will be eager to maintain their presence on the global stage.

WAFCON 2026 Groups:

Group A (Rabat – Moulay Hassan Stadium): Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, Kenya

Group B (Rabat – Al Madina Stadium): South Africa, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Tanzania

Group C (Casablanca): Nigeria, Zambia, Egypt, Malawi

Group D (Fès): Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, Cape Verde