The tournament will be staged in Morocco for the third successive edition and is set to run from 26 July to 16 August after being postponed from its original March dates due to logistical challenges.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation requested the delay, citing scheduling conflicts with domestic competitions and pressure on infrastructure following other major football events.
South Africa head into the tournament eager to make amends after falling short during their title defence at the previous edition. Banyana's campaign ended in the semi-finals with defeat to eventual champions Nigeria before they lost to Ghana on penalties in the third-place playoff, finishing fourth overall.
Ellis will be hoping her experienced squad can repeat the heroics of 2022, when South Africa defeated hosts Morocco in the final to win the country's first-ever WAFCON title.
Banyana have been drawn in Group B alongside Tanzania, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso. Their campaign gets underway against Tanzania on 27 July before they face Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso in their remaining group-stage matches.
The squad features several established internationals, including captain Refiloe Jane, forward Thembi Kgatlana, midfielder Linda Motlhalo, defenders Bambanani Mbane and Karabo Dhlamini, as well as goalkeeper Andile Dlamini.
Banyana Banyana's 2026 WAFCON squad:
Goalkeepers: Kaylin Swart, Katlego Moletsane, Andile Dlamini.
Defenders: Lebohang Ramalepe, Fikile Magama, Bambanani Mbane, Antonia Maponya, Karabo Dhlamini, Lonathemba Mhlongo, Asanda Hadebe, Khutso Pila.
Midfielders: Linda Motlhalo, Bongeka Gamede, Refiloe Jane, Noxolo Cesane, Nonhlanhla Mthandi, Gabriela Salgado, Robyn Moodaly, Sibulele Holweni, Amogelang Motau, Zoe October, Isabella Ludwig.
Forwards: Thembi Kgatlana, Nthabiseng Majiya and Ronnel Donnelly.
Banyana Banyana are aiming to begin their CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026 campaign on a positive note when they face Tanzania in their Group B opener on Monday at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca.
Hosts Morocco and Algeria opened their 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations campaigns with impressive victories on Sunday to take early control of Group A.
Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis is expecting a tight game against Tanzania in their opening game of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations.
Banyana Banyana forward Hildah Magaia has called on her teammates to remain fully focused on the task at hand as South Africa prepares to defend its Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) crown in Morocco.
