WAFCON 2026: CAF expands teams to 16

File Photo: The new WAFCON trophy

The Confederation of African Football has said that the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals will expand from 12 to 16 teams beginning with the 2026 edition.

Coming year’s tournament in Morocco was initially planned to feature 12 nations, with qualifying already at its second and final round.

However, the expansion means an additional round of qualifying may be introduced, with 11 remaining teams expected to compete for four available slots.

More information are expected after CAF’s executive committee meeting, currently taking place in Kinshasa.

WAFCON began as an eight-team tournament in 1998 and maintained that format until the 2018 edition in Ghana.

The 2020 tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic before the competition returned with 12 teams in 2022.

CAF has increased investment in women’s football across the continent, with the prize fund for the most recent edition in Morocco rising by 45 per cent to $3.45m.

Latest champion, Nigeria received $1m after claiming a record 10th title.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe expressed satisfaction with the growth of the women’s game in Africa, saying he remains committed to its continued development.

“I am pleased with the progress we’ve made in women’s African football,” Motsepe said.

“Part of my starting point is making sure men and women are paid well and can make a career out of football. I can assure you women’s football will continue to improve because that is an area we are focusing on a lot.”