August opens with the biggest prize in African women’s football still up for grabs, and a glamour friendly on the other side of the world.
WAFCON 2026 Reaches Its Business End
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is being played in Morocco from late July through 16 August, and this edition matters more than most. For the first time, 16 teams are competing, and the four semi-finalists earn automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The knockout rounds began on 8 August, with the third-place match set for 15 August and the final scheduled for 16 August in Rabat.
- Hosts Morocco opened the tournament against Kenya, with Algeria and Senegal also in the group stage mix
- Quarter-final losers get a second chance through an inter-continental World Cup play-off route
- Group stage position shaped every side’s path through the knockout bracket
If you’re building toward Brazil 2027, this tournament is essential viewing — it’s effectively the opening act of the qualification story we track in our international women’s championships calendar.
A Star-Studded Friendly Down Under
Away from competitive qualification, Sydney hosts one of the more eye-catching exhibitions of the year. Chelsea Women, featuring Australians Sam Kerr and Ellie Carpenter, take on an A-Leagues All Stars Women select side on 12 August at Allianz Stadium as part of the Sydney Super Cup. It’s a rare chance for Australian fans to see Women’s Super League talent up close during the off-season.
Why It Matters for the Bigger Picture
Both fixtures tie into a season that has already produced record crowds and headline moments, something we unpack further in our look at historic moments in women’s sports this year. With WAFCON’s semi-finalists locking in World Cup places and club football using the summer window for global exhibitions, August is shaping up as one of the busiest months on the women’s football calendar. For fans tracking results across codes, our guide to the most popular women’s sporting events puts it all in context.