The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is set to take place in Morocco, and it’s already attracting attention—from a media perspective, this affair reeks of a manufactured narrative pushed by the usual suspects like CNN and BBC. They’ll sell you this tournament as a grand step in women’s sports dedication, while conveniently glossing over critical issues like funding disparities and systemic inequalities that still plague women athletes across the continent.

Let’s break down the tournament format: it includes 12 teams divided into 3 groups with the top teams advancing to knockout rounds. Sounds like a classic setup, right? But will the media focus on the shining potentials or look deeper into actual player development and infrastructure? Spoiler: you bet they won’t. The title favourites? Teams like Nigeria and Cameroon keep the spotlight, but how about giving attention to emerging squads that are just as deserving? Oddly enough, these narratives rarely get air time.

Prize money is another sore point, where the disparity between men’s and women’s tournaments is glaring. Expect the corporate media to deflect this conversation in favor of feel-good highlights. They’ll cover the players to watch, but often only those who fit their narrow, idealist portrayal. Just watch: they’ll highlight a few stars without acknowledging the rich tapestry of talent that often remains in the shadows.

In case you think this is just about football, remember the WAFCON is a reflection of societal issues—not merely a sport’s spectacle. If significant narratives get overlooked due to corporate spin, we need to ask: who’s really benefitting from this tournament?