WAFCON 2026: Harambee Starlets' opponents, Morocco name Barcelona youngster in strong preliminary squad
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 25.02.26. | 13:12
One of the headline inclusions is 18-year-old Barcelona forward Kautar Azraf, who has earned her first senior call-up after impressing at the youth level
Kenya’s 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations opponents, Morocco, who are also the hosts, have stepped up their preparations after naming a 32-player preliminary squad set to enter camp ahead of the continental showpiece.
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Head coach Jorge Vilda Rodriguez unveiled a blend of experience and youth for the training camp at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maâmora as the Atlas Lionesses intensify their build-up to the tournament scheduled from Tuesday, 17 March to Friday, 3 April.
Captain Ghizlane Chebbak will lead the squad, which includes established names such as goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi, defender Nouhaila Benzina, and forwards Sakina Ouzraoui and Fatima Tagnaout.
One of the headline inclusions is 18-year-old Barcelona forward Kautar Azraf, who has earned her first senior call-up after impressing at the youth level.
Regarded as one of Morocco’s brightest prospects, Azraf is expected to inject pace and creativity into the attack.
The squad also sees the return of Yasmin Mrabet, Salma Amani and Sanaâ Mssoudy as Morocco aims to build on their growing stature in African women’s football.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s Harambee Starlets are also ramping up their preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The Starlets have been in camp locally before reinforcing the squad with foreign-based players. The team will travel to Abidjan on Saturday, 28 February, for two international friendlies against Benin on Monday, 2 March and the Ivory Coast on Wednesday, 4 March at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara d’Ebimpé.
After the Abidjan matches, the squad will relocate to Miramas, France, for a residential training camp running until Sunday, 15 March, as they fine-tune preparations ahead of the tournament.
Kenya will open their Group A campaign against hosts Morocco on Tuesday, 17 March, before facing Senegal on Friday, 20 March and concluding the group stage against Algeria on Monday, 23 March.
Morocco squad for WAFCON 2026 preparation camp
Goalkeepers: Khadija Er-Rmichi, Fatima Ezzahra El Jabraoui, Ines Arouaissa, Hind El Hasnaoui.
Defenders: Hanane Ait El Haj, Imane Touris, Siham Boukhami, Zineb Redouani, Rania Bouteibi, Nouhaila Benzina, Aziza Rabbah, Fatima El Ghazouani, Meryem Azio.
Midfielders: Najat Badri, Élodie Nakkach, Yasmin Mrabet, Zineb Erroudani, Hajar Said, Salma Amani, Ghizlane Chebbak, Imene El Ghazouani, Anissa Lahmari, Kautar Azraf.
Forwards: Sakina Ouzraoui, Imane Saoud, Jade Nassi, Sanaâ Mssoudy, Fatima Tagnaout, Samia Hassani, Ibtissam Jraidi, Kenza Chapelle, Chaimaa Mourtaji.
