Who are the players to watch at WAFCON 2026?

[p]This year's edition is special because, for the first time, the tournament will feature 16 teams instead of the previous 12. Among them are two nations making their WAFCON debut: [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/cape-verde/6aOchpuH/"]Cape Verde[/a], who have recently gained international attention thanks to the success of their men's national team, and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/malawi/A3EAueis/"]Malawi[/a], who arrive with several exciting players in their squad.[/p][p][i][b]Interested in women's football? Follow [a href="https://www.queenballers.com/" target="_blank"]queenballers.com[/a].[/b][/i][/p][p]Just like at the AFC Women's Asian Cup, teams are not only competing for the trophy but also for qualification to the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup, which will be hosted by Brazil next year. Elsewhere, Japan have already secured their place after winning the Asian Cup, while Denmark and France have also qualified. Meanwhile, reigning European champions England will have to fight for their spot through the play-offs.[/p][p]But back to the upcoming Women's Africa Cup of Nations. Which players should you be watching?[/p][h2][a href="https://www.queenballers.com/players/chiamaka-nnadozie" target="_blank"]Chiamaka Nnadozie[/a] (Nigeria)[/h2][p]The goalkeeper of the reigning champions, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/nigeria/KbvGP3KC/"]Nigeria[/a], is coming off an outstanding debut season in the Women's Super League with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/brighton/KxpSSJgi/"]Brighton[/a], where she quickly earned widespread praise from fans, pundits and journalists alike. Many even considered her one of the league's goalkeepers of the season.[/p][p]While Brighton finished seventh in the WSL, the club reached the FA Cup final for the first time in its history, with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/nnadozie-chiamaka/tnZ6xVli/"]Nnadozie[/a] playing a crucial role in that remarkable run. Expect the Nigerian shot-stopper to carry that outstanding form into the tournament.[/p][h2][a href="https://www.queenballers.com/players/ines-belloumou" target="_blank"]Ines Belloumou[/a] ([a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/algeria/CdsPai41/"]Algeria[/a])[/h2][p]The Algerian defender just finished her first season with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/west-ham/f5LnX3Gl/"]West Ham United[/a]. After beginning her career at Montpellier, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/belloumou-ines/SthH893G/"]Belloumou[/a]'s journey has taken her through [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/bayern-munich/vkjy3nF9/"]Bayern Munich[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/lazio/fmSQFSYG/"]Lazio[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/malmo-ff/tYNTdpar/"]Malmo FF[/a] before reaching the Women's Super League - the dream destination for many players.[/p][p]Despite a challenging start in England, she gradually established herself as a regular starter and played an important role in helping West Ham secure their top-flight status.[/p][image alt="Ines Belloumou in action for Lazio" id="e9bd7c22-f63c-4b5a-863b-d50b54574549" credit-line="Marco Rosi - SS Lazio / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / Getty Images via AFP" guid="df094c33-b2ae-46c0-8351-ad027ae74643" original-width="5568" original-height="3712" /][h2][a href="https://www.queenballers.com/players/racheal-kundananji" target="_blank"]Racheal Kundananji [/a](Zambia)[/h2][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/zambia/rmKdcHAi/"]Zambia[/a] already have a major star in their squad in [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/banda-barbra/SriyfOdh/"]Barbra Banda[/a], but she will be joined in attack by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kundananji-racheal/v7zae1ae/"]Kundananji[/a], who is certainly not going to let her more high-profile teammate steal all the attention. [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/bay-fc/4QbExvzF/"]Bay FC[/a] paid a club-record fee to sign her, allowing Kundananji to make history in more ways than one.[/p][p]She became the first Zambian player to feature and score in the NWSL. Alongside Banda, she is set to form one of the most exciting attacking partnerships at the tournament.[/p][h2][a href="https://www.queenballers.com/players/melissa-bethi" target="_blank"]Melissa Bethi[/a] (Algeria)[/h2][p]So far we've focused on established big stars, but major tournaments are also where young talents make a name for themselves. One of them is Algerian midfielder [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/bethi-melissa/zoqhErOp/"]Melissa Bethi[/a], who recently completed a move from French side [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/nantes/S8pP4fqS/"]Nantes[/a] to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/washington-spirit/Iw8EhkKp/"]Washington Spirit[/a] in the NWSL and is now preparing for the first major international tournament of her career.[/p][p]Her transfer to one of the world's most competitive leagues helped earn her a place in Algeria's squad. Bethi was also eligible to represent France, where she was born. Instead, she chose to play for her father's homeland, Algeria.[/p][h2][a href="https://www.queenballers.com/players/thembi-kgatlana" target="_blank"]Thembi Kgatlana[/a] (South Africa)[/h2][p]South Africa's men's team weren't among the favourites at the World Cup, but the same cannot be said of the women's side, who arrive in Morocco as the WAFCON 2022 champions. Their attack will once again be led by experienced forward [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kgatlana-thembi/KEqY2g2K/"]Thembi Kgatlana[/a], who currently plays in Liga MX for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/tigres-uanl/U1ymuRr3/"]Tigres[/a].[/p][p]Renowned for her blistering pace on the counterattack and outstanding dribbling ability, Kgatlana has repeatedly shown she can deliver when it matters most. [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/south-africa/23FeDl3D/"]South Africa[/a] will once again look to her to produce the decisive moments on the biggest stage.[/p][image alt="Thembi Kgatlana celebrates her league success with Tigres" id="cfa961c5-c4fc-452d-bca5-edbd4167bad2" credit-line="Azael Rodriguez / Getty Images South America / Getty Images via AFP" guid="aa6332ab-c64f-477e-8102-fb3215155f58" original-width="4000" original-height="2667" /][p][i][b]If you don't want to miss anything from women’s football and the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027, follow [a href="https://www.queenballers.com/"]queenballers.com[/a] for more. [/b][/i][/p]