Harambee Starlets guaranteed Sh19.5 million as CAF unveils record WAFCON prize money

Harambee Starlets guaranteed Sh19.5 million as CAF unveils record WAFCON prize money

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Each of the 16 participating nations will receive $150,000 (Sh19.5 million) in participation fees, a 20 per cent increase from the $125,000 (Sh16 million) awarded at the previous edition.

Harambee Starlets are guaranteed at least Sh19.5 million for qualifying for the 2026 TotalEnergies Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced a record prize fund for the continental tournament.
Each of the 16 participating nations will receive $150,000 (Sh19.5 million) in participation fees, a 20 per cent increase from the $125,000 (Sh16 million) awarded at the previous edition.
CAF has also significantly increased the overall prize purse, raising it by 67 per cent from $3.475 million (Sh449 million) to $5.8 million (Sh750 million) in what is the biggest financial package in the tournament's history.
The champions will receive a record $2 million (Sh258 million), double the amount awarded to the previous winners. The runners-up will pocket $750,000 (Sh96.8 million), while the third-placed team will earn $500,000 (Sh64.6 million).
The announcement comes as Kenya finalises preparations for its return to WAFCON, with Beldine Odemba's side set to begin its campaign in Morocco later this week.
Kenya has been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Morocco, Senegal and Algeria. The Starlets will open their campaign against Morocco before taking on Senegal and Algeria in their remaining group-stage matches.
The team has been camping in France as part of its final preparations before travelling to Morocco for the tournament, which will run from July 26 to August 16.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe said the increase reflects the governing body's commitment to accelerating the growth of women's football across Africa and rewarding the continent's top-performing national teams.
Since the current CAF leadership took office in 2021, the winners' prize has increased by 900 per cent, rising from $200,000 to $2 million (Sh258 million). During the same period, the tournament's total prize fund has grown by 495 per cent, from $975,000 (Sh126 million) to the current $5.8 million (Sh750 million).
The increased financial rewards come as WAFCON continues to expand, with the tournament now featuring 16 teams, twice the number that competed just a few years ago, highlighting CAF's continued investment in the development and professionalisation of women's football across the continent.

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