CAF Expands Women’s AFCON to 16 Teams From 2026
Written by Alonge Akinlolu on 5 — 11
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a major boost for women’s football on the continent, expanding the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) from 12 to 16 teams starting in 2026.
The landmark decision marks another step in CAF’s commitment to developing women’s football and giving more nations the chance to compete on the continent’s biggest stage.
While the qualification series for the 2026 tournament has already concluded, four extra nations have been added based on the latest FIFA Women’s World Rankings — Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Egypt.
They will now join the twelve teams that had already secured their spots: Morocco (hosts), Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi, Algeria, Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Cape Verde, South Africa, and Senegal.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe said the expansion reflects the governing body’s long term vision to make women’s football in Africa more competitive and accessible. The 2026 edition will also serve as a qualification route for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
With more countries set to feature, the next WAFCON promises to be the biggest and most inclusive edition yet, offering fresh stories, new rivalries, and a wider platform for African female footballers to shine.
