Ghana’s Black Queens will begin their quest for continental success and FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification when they compete in Group D of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco. The tournament runs from March 17 to April 3, 2026, with all of Ghana’s group-stage matches scheduled to be played at the Fès Sports Complex.
Ghana’s Group Stage Fixtures
Ghana vs Cape Verde – Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Ghana vs Cameroon – Saturday, March 21, 2026
Mali vs Ghana – Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Ghana enter the tournament as one of the competition’s most decorated teams, having finished runners-up three times (1998, 2002, 2006) and claimed four bronze medals(2000, 2004, 2016), most recently in 2024 where they beat South Africa on penalties.
The Black Queens secured qualification with an emphatic 7–0 aggregate victory over Egypt and are led by Swedish head coach Kim Lars Björkegren, who was appointed in late 2024 to usher the team into a new era.
On the global stage, Ghana have previously qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup three consecutive times (1999, 2003, 2007) and will be aiming to return after nearly two decades away.
Group D Preview: Match-by-Match Outlook
Ghana vs Cape Verde – Opening Test Against Newcomers
Ghana open their WAFCON 2026 campaign against tournament debutants Cape Verde, a side making its first-ever appearance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Cape Verde booked their historic qualification by defeating Mali 4–3 on aggregate in the second round of qualifiers, after edging Guinea 6–3 on aggregate in the first round.
While Cape Verde lack tournament experience, their rapid rise since forming a national women’s team in 2018 and their fearless qualification run make them an unpredictable opening opponent. For Ghana, securing a positive start will be key to setting the tone for the group.
Under head coach Silvéria Nédio, the newcomers will rely on organization and belief, but Ghana’s pedigree and tournament know-how make them clear favourites in the opener.
Ghana vs Cameroon – A Familiar Rivalry
The Group D encounter between Ghana and Cameroon pits two of Africa’s most established women’s football nations against each other.
Cameroon are four-time WAFCON runners-up (1991, 2004, 2014, 2016), including a heartbreaking 1–0 defeat to Nigeria in the 2016 final on home soil in Yaoundé. They have also featured in the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cups, exiting both tournaments at the Round of 16 stage. Despite failing to qualify on the pitch, the Indomitable Lionesses were granted a place at WAFCON 2026 as one of the best-ranked eliminated teams, following their 3–1 aggregate loss to Algeria in the qualifiers.
That pedigree was clearly on display at the 2018 WAFCON, hosted by Ghana, where Cameroon went on to finish third, reinforcing their reputation as perennial contenders on the continental stage. The tournament, however, proved a painful chapter for the hosts. Ghana and Cameroon were paired in Group A, and their 1–1 draw in the final group match ultimately denied the Black Queens a place in the semi-finals, with only eight teams participating and just four progressing at the time.
Recent history, however, offers encouragement for the Black Queens, having defeated Cameroon 2–0 at the 2021 Aisha Buhari Cup. Coached by Alain Djeumfa, who returned to the role in late 2025, Cameroon remain a physically imposing and tactically experienced side, making this fixture a likely battle for group supremacy.
Mali vs Ghana – A Decisive Group Finale
Ghana’s final group match comes against Mali, a team that has steadily grown into a consistent WAFCON contender.
The two sides played out a 1–1 draw at the 2024 WAFCON, while Mali famously defeated Ghana 2–1 in their second group game at the 2018 tournament. That 2018 edition marked Mali’s breakthrough, as they reached the semi-finals for the first time, finishing fourth overall on home soil in Ghana.
Mali qualified for WAFCON 2026 after a dominant 10–1 aggregate win over Gabon, before losing 4–3 on aggregate to Cape Verde in the second round and advancing as one of the best-ranked eliminated teams. Led by coach Mohamed Saloum “Housseï”, the Eagle Ladies blend local talent with foreign-based players and remain one of the most disciplined sides in the group.
With qualification potentially hanging in the balance, this encounter is expected to be tense, tactical and decisive.
Competition Format
The 2026 WAFCON features 16 teams divided into four groups of four (Groups A–D).
At the end of the group stage, the top two teams in each group advance to the knockout phase, comprising the Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, Third-Place Play-Off and Final.
Crucially, all four semifinalists will qualify directly for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, while additional qualification play-offs will also be staged as part of the tournament’s concluding fixtures.
With history, redemption, and World Cup dreams all on the line, the Black Queens will be eager to navigate a challenging Group D and reassert their place among Africa’s elite.
