CAF Reaffirms Commitment To Women’s Football, Expands WAFCON To 16 Teams

CAF Reaffirms Commitment To Women’s Football, Expands WAFCON To 16 Teams

Sampson Adedeji

The Confederation of African Football (CAF), under the leadership of President Patrice Motsepe, has reaffirmed its commitment to the growth and development of women’s football across the continent, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

CAF confirmed that the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) will expand from 12 to 16 teams, starting with the 2026 edition.

Next year’s tournament in Morocco was originally scheduled to feature 12 teams, with qualifiers already in their final round. 

However, the expansion means an additional qualifying round may be introduced, with 11 teams expected to battle for the remaining four spots.

Since its inception in 1998, WAFCON has been an eight-team tournament, retaining that format until the 2018 edition in Ghana.

CAF has also boosted investment in women’s football, increasing the prize money for the last edition in Morocco by 45 percent to $3.45 million.

Tournament winners Nigeria received $1 million after securing their record 10th title. “I am pleased with the progress we’ve made in women’s African football,” said Motsepe.

“Part of my mission is to ensure both men and women are paid fairly and can build careers in football. Women’s football will continue to grow because it remains one of our key focus areas.”