The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has approved the expansion of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) from 12 to 16 teams, marking a major leap for women’s football on the continent.
CAF announced that the new format will take effect from the 2026 edition of the tournament, scheduled to be hosted by Morocco. The decision comes as part of CAF’s ongoing efforts to promote inclusivity and give more national teams an opportunity to compete at the highest level of women’s football in Africa.
The confederation noted that the change will allow more nations to showcase their progress and talent, following growing interest and participation in women’s football across the continent.
Four new teams join the lineup
In a statement on Tuesday, CAF said four additional teams have been added to the 12 that had already qualified for the competition.
“Based on the current FIFA Women’s World Rankings, the top four teams from those eliminated in the final qualifying round have been selected to complete the list of participants,” the statement read.
The four newly added countries — Cameroon (ranked 66th), Côte d’Ivoire (71st), Mali (79th), and Egypt (95th), will now feature in the tournament alongside Morocco (hosts), Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi, Algeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Senegal, and Cape Verde.
The 2026 WAFCON will run from March 17 to April 3 in Morocco. Beyond the expanded format, the competition will also serve as the African qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Read also: Super Falcons Celebrate WAFCON Triumph with Grand Trophy Parade in Lagos
The top four teams from the tournament will automatically qualify for the World Cup, while two others will have a chance to secure their place through the inter-confederation playoffs.
The expansion is widely seen as a boost for the women’s game in Africa, providing more countries with international exposure and competitive experience that can drive long-term growth in the sport.
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