African women’s national teams are stepping up preparations for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026, with a packed April FIFA international window offering a crucial opportunity to assess strengths and refine tactics.

With the continental tournament just months away, teams across Africa are engaging in a mix of regional friendlies and intercontinental fixtures as part of the FIFA Series, aiming to build momentum and test combinations.

Clearly stated ambitions

From 10 April, Botswana will get proceedings underway against Saudi Arabia.

The following day, Tunisia face Benin in a fixture that should offer the Carthage Eagles an opportunity to explore new attacking options against an opponent known for their defensive discipline.

A day later, Morocco host Tanzania in one of the standout fixtures of the window. The Atlas Lionesses, who have enjoyed an impressive run in recent years, face a Tanzanian side eager to continue its upward trajectory.

On 14 April, attention turns to a series of high-profile encounters. South Africa meet Algeria in a clash of contrasting styles, with Banyana Banyana’s intensity and pace set against Algeria’s structured and technical approach.

Elsewhere, Egypt take on Saudi Arabia in a match that offers both sides a chance to strengthen their credentials on the international stage, while Benin face Comoros in what promises to be an open and competitive contest.

Adjustments and confirmations expected

The fixtures continue on 16 April, when Tunisia meet Comoros in another test of their readiness against an improving opponent.

On 17 April, South Africa and Algeria renew their rivalry in a second encounter, providing both teams with an opportunity to adapt tactically. Morocco also face Ghana in a high-profile meeting between two of the continent’s most competitive sides.

The series concludes on 19 April with a second meeting between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, offering further insights into both teams’ progress

FIFA Series: a global revealer

Beyond African match-ups, the FIFA Series 2026 has expanded the scope of preparations by pitting African teams against global opposition.

Ivory Coast set the tone with an emphatic 8-0 victory over Mauritania on 9 April, underlining their attacking strength.

On 11 April, Kenya host a mini-tournament in Nairobi featuring Australia, Malawi and India, while Zambia face a stern test against Canada in Brazil.

The following day sees DR Congo take on Indonesia in Thailand, while Mauritania face Pakistan and Ivory Coast meet Turks and Caicos in Abidjan.

Zambia continue their demanding schedule with matches against Brazil on 15 April and South Korea on 18 April, providing valuable experience against top-tier opposition.

A crucial testing ground

The April window represents a key phase in preparations, allowing coaches to experiment, assess squad depth and fine-tune strategies ahead of WAFCON 2026.

With competitive fixtures across continents, African teams are gaining vital exposure and experience — all with the aim of peaking when the continent’s biggest women’s football tournament begins later this year.

Friendly matches in April 2026:

April 10
Saudi Arabia 1–1 Botswana
Scorers: Seba Tawfiq (90+7) / Laone Moloi (28’)

April 12
Tunisia 1-0 Benin
Scorer : M. Houij (90′)

April 13
Senegal 1-0 Burkina Faso
Scorer : S. Ngaye Pene (2′)

Morocco 3-0 Tanzania
Scorers :  S.Mssoudy (2′, 77′), Y.Mrabet (80′)

April 14
South Africa vs Algeria
Saudi Arabia vs Egypt
Benin vs Comoros

April 16
Tunisia vs Comoros

April 17
South Africa vs Algeria
Morocco vs Mali

April 19
Saudi Arabia vs Egypt

FIFA Series 2026:

April 9, 2026
Ivory Coast 8-0 Mauritania – Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Ebimpe

April 11, 2026
Australia 5-0 Malawi – Nairobi
Scorers :  E. van Egmond (5″), S. Kerr (41″), A. Chidiac (60″), H. McNamara (86″), L. McKenna (90+4)

Kenya 2-0 India – Nairobi
Scorers: M. Emedot (2′) T. Obunya (55′)

Canada 4-0 Zambia – Brazil
Scorers :N. Prince (41′, 45+1), A. Chukwu (81′, 88′)

April 12, 2026
Indonesia 1-7 DR Congo – Thailand
Scorers: C. Scheunemann (7′) / M. Kajinga (23′, 59′), F. Mawete (29′, 74′), M. Kasaj (45+6) O. Massombo (52′), J. Feza (82′)

Mauritania 1-0 Pakistan – Abidjan
Scorer : R. Gengui (21′)

Turks and Caicos 1-15 Ivory Coast – Abidjan
Scorers :  I. Moline (28′)/ A.Diallo (6′ 10′ 23′ 42′),P. Kreto (12′ 22′ 27′ 47′ 52′), R. Kouassi (32′), S.Kokora (45′), A. Koko (45+1), I. Konan (78′ 83′), A. Abrogoua (90+3)

April 15, 2026

Brazil vs Zambia – Brazil

India vs Malawi – Kenya (Third-place match – FIFA Series 2026 Kenya)

Kenya vs Australia – Kenya (Final – FIFA Series 2026 Kenya)

Thailand vs DR Congo –Thailand (Final – FIFA Series 2026 Thailand), 

April 16, 2026
Ivory Coast vs Pakistan – Abidjan
Turks and Caicos vs Mauritania – Abidjan

April 18, 2026
South Korea vs Zambia – Brazil

-Cafonline

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