WAFU-A unveils ambitious six-tournament 2026 calendar with youth and women’s focus
The West African Football Union Zone A (WAFU-A) has unveiled an ambitious six-competition calendar for 2026, highlighted by the return of the historic Amílcar Cabral Cup, which will be hosted by Guinea from 15–30 August.
The announcement confirms a packed year of youth, women’s and senior competitions across six countries in the sub-region, reinforcing WAFU-A’s commitment to developing local football and strengthening regional integration.
The revival of the Amílcar Cabral Cup marks the most symbolic development in the schedule.
Once a flagship competition in West African football, the tournament had been dormant for several years. Its reinstatement is seen as a major step in revitalising competition for locally based players.
Guinea has been entrusted with hosting the 2026 edition, which will bring together all WAFU-A member nations: Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Senegal and Sierra Leone.
WAFU-A Executive Director Mapathe Gaye described the competition as central to the region’s football identity.
“This Cup represented the identity of Zone A. Reviving it also strengthens integration between the WAFU-A member countries,” he said.
The tournament will now be staged biennially and is positioned as a high-level platform for domestic-based players, serving as a viable paltform for home-based player to showcase their talents, the Cabral Cup is expected to gain increased prominence.
Beyond the headline event, WAFU-A’s 2026 programme places significant emphasis on youth and women’s football.
Guinea-Bissau will host the Women’s Under-20 zonal tournament from 1–20 March, while The Gambia stages the qualifiers for the CAF Women’s Champions League between 25 July and 9 August.
Senegal has been selected to host the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tournament from 1–20 September, providing a key pathway for emerging talents in the region.
Mali will organise the Under-20 qualifying tournament from 6–26 October, and Liberia will stage the Under-15 Girls’ qualifying event from 21–28 November.
The structured calendar reflects WAFU-A’s broader strategy of strengthening competitive pathways from grassroots to senior level, while ensuring regular international exposure for clubs and national teams within the zone.
With six tournaments across the year and the symbolic return of one of West Africa’s most storied competitions, 2026 promises to be a defining period for football development in WAFU Zone A.