Overview
- The tournament runs March 17–April 3 with matches in Rabat, Fez and Casablanca.
- Group A features host Morocco with Algeria, Senegal and Kenya; Group B includes South Africa, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Tanzania; Group C pairs Nigeria with Zambia, Egypt and debutant Malawi; Group D has Ghana, Cameroon, Mali and Cape Verde.
- CAF expanded the field from 12 to 16 teams in November, reinstating Cameroon, Egypt, Ivory Coast and Mali after qualifying.
- The four semifinalists will qualify directly for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, while defeated quarterfinalists will play off for two inter-confederation playoff berths.
- Morocco enters under coach Jorge Vilda, who led Spain to the 2023 World Cup title, as the host seeks a first continental crown after back-to-back final defeats.