For the first time in the tournament's history, 12 teams, including hosts (Morocco),[1] qualified to play in the group stages.

[2] Qualification ties were to be played on a home-and-away two-legged basis.

If the aggregate score was tied after the second leg, the away goals rule would be applied, even to the extent of a penalty shoot-out with no extra time played if scores are still tied to determine the winners.

[3] A record total of 44 out of 54 CAF member national teams entered qualification, whose draw was held on 10 May 2021 at the CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.

[4] The first round of matches was originally scheduled for June 2021, but were postponed to October that year due to the after-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa.

Djibouti won on walkover after Rwanda withdrew before the first leg citing lack of preparation due to no local league being contested since 2018.

Algeria won on walkover after the second leg match originally scheduled for 26 October 2021 was postponed and later cancelled due to the October–November 2021 Sudanese coup d'état.

Equatorial Guinea won on walkover and advanced to the second round after DR Congo failed to appear for the first leg.

Winners will qualify for the group stages of the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations.

Uganda advanced on walkover after Kenya withdrew before the first leg.