Egypt’s Cleopatras open their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Zambia tonight

⚽ While the men have been making history in North America, Egypt’s women are getting their own tournament underway tonight. The Cleopatras — Egypt’s women’s national team — face Zambia in their opening group stage match at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) at 8pm Cairo time at the Rabat Olympic Stadium in Morocco.

💡WHERE TO WATCH- The match will be broadcast live on beIN Sports 6.

A little background: The Cleopatras are making only their third appearance at the WAFCON — their first in a decade — having previously featured at the 1998 inaugural tournament and in 2016. Both appearances ended in the group stage, with Egypt recording just one victory in six matches across the two tournaments — a 1-0 victory over Zimbabwe in 2016. Tonight is a chance to build on that, against a Zambian side they have never faced at the WAFCON before.

The stakes go beyond the group stage: All four WAFCON semi-finalists automatically qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil — meaning every match from here carries World Cup implications. Egypt are in Group C alongside defending champions Nigeria, Zambia, and Malawi, and will need to finish in the top two to advance to the quarter-finals. It is, to put it mildly, a tough group.