2026 Women's AFCON: Algeria - Senegal to open, Sunday's schedule

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The 2026 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations kicks off this Sunday in Morocco with the opening match between Algeria and Senegal (5 p.m. GMT), both quarter-finalists in the last edition. The host country will make its debut later in the evening against Kenya (8 p.m. GMT).

Algeria - Senegal, two countries with the same objective

While Algeria makes its seventh appearance at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, Senegal, for its part, has a much more recent history with the competition, playing for only the fourth time in its history after 2012, 2022, and 2024. But the Lionesses are in a great dynamic, having reached the quarter-finals in their last two campaigns in 2022 and 2024.

A glass ceiling that Mame Moussa Cissé's Senegal wants to break in order to finally reach the tournament's last four. This is also Algeria's ambition, having been defeated by Ghana in their first quarter-final in the tournament during the last edition in 2024 (0-0; 2-4 on penalties), whereas Senegal fell to South Africa (0-0; 1-4 on penalties).

Tonight's opening match is therefore of critical importance for both teams, who want not only to start their campaign in the best way possible but also to reassure themselves of their ability to finally surpass their limits. And while the Lionesses can count on experienced players like Mama Diop and Nguenar Ndiaye, the Eagles of Medina also have reliable stars, with the Marseille-based Chloé Ngazi in goal and Inès Bountaleb up front.

Morocco – Kenya, the ogre versus the underdog

Unfortunate finalist in the last two editions, Morocco starts this CAN Féminine 2026 as reigning double runner up. It's an inglorious status that the Lionesses want to shed to finally write their name on the competition’s roll of honour.

For their sixth participation, Ghizlaine Chebbak and her teammates are determined to finally triumph, all the more so as they will once again be playing at home. Against Kenya, who are making only their second appearance after 2016, Jorge Vilda's Morocco side has the opportunity to send a strong message to the rest of the title contenders.

On the other hand, Beldine Odemba’s Kenya has nothing to lose and will play with freedom in an effort to frustrate the Lionesses in front of their own fans.

Schedule

5 PM GMT: Algeria – Senegal

8 PM GMT: Morocco - Kenya