CAF expands WAFCON to 16 teams ahead of 2026 Morocco edition
The expanded format will debut in the 2026 edition, scheduled to take place in Morocco from March 17 to April 3, 2026.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially approved the expansion of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) from 12 to 16 teams, ushering in a new era for women’s football on the continent.
The expanded format will debut in the 2026 edition, scheduled to take place in Morocco from March 17 to April 3, 2026.
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The historic decision, endorsed by the CAF Executive Committee, aligns with the organisation’s long-term strategy to boost competitiveness and development in women’s football across Africa. By increasing participation, CAF aims to offer more nations the opportunity to compete on the continental stage, strengthening pathways for players, coaches, and federations to grow the game.
As the qualification process for the 2026 edition had already concluded under the 12-team format, CAF approved a special selection mechanism to determine the four additional participants.
Based on the FIFA Women’s World Rankings, the highest-ranked teams eliminated in the final qualification round were selected to fill the new slots.
Joining the already qualified nations are Cameroon (66th globally), Côte d’Ivoire (71st), Mali (79th), and Egypt (95th)—four traditional powerhouses that narrowly missed out in the qualifiers but will now feature in Morocco.
They complete a vibrant 16-team line-up alongside the 12 nations that had already secured their places: hosts Morocco, Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi, Algeria, Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Cape Verde, South Africa, and Senegal.
The upcoming tournament promises to be one of the most competitive and inclusive in WAFCON history.
Record champions Nigeria, with ten continental titles to their name, will once again headline the field as they pursue an unprecedented 11th crown. Close behind are South Africa’s Banyana Banyana, the reigning champions who continue to set new standards for professionalism and performance in African women’s football.
Hosts Morocco, finalists in the last two editions, will look to capitalise on home advantage once again, buoyed by passionate fans and recent investments in women’s football infrastructure.
The 2026 WAFCON will also mark historic debuts for Cape Verde and Malawi, both qualifying for the finals for the first time, a clear reflection of the sport’s expanding footprint and growing parity across Africa.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s Harambee Starlets have made a triumphant return to the continental stage after years of absence.
Under head coach Beldine Odemba, the team overcame numerous challenges, from administrative hurdles to limited preparations, to reclaim its spot among Africa’s elite. Their qualification strengthens East Africa’s presence at the tournament, with Tanzania and Zambia also flying the regional flag.
Burkina Faso, Algeria, and Senegal round out the list of teams aiming to build on promising qualifying campaigns, each seeking deeper runs in Morocco and a stronger foothold in the women’s game.
Beyond the pursuit of continental glory, the 2026 WAFCON carries added significance as Africa’s qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The four semi-finalists will automatically secure World Cup berths, while two additional teams will enter the intercontinental play-offs for another chance to qualify.
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