CAF expands 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations to 16 teams

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has approved the expansion of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) from 12 to 16 teams, beginning with the 2026 edition in Morocco.

The tournament is scheduled to take place from 17 March to 3 April 2026.

As the qualification process had already concluded before the decision, CAF confirmed that four additional teams have been selected based on the FIFA Women’s World Rankings.

Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Egypt have therefore been added to the competition, joining the 12 nations that had already qualified: Morocco, Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi, Algeria, Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Cape Verde, South Africa, and Senegal.

In a statement, CAF said the expansion “is in line with CAF’s strategic vision to strengthen the competitiveness and development of women’s football on the African continent.”

The decision means more nations will have the opportunity to participate in Africa’s leading women’s football competition, which also serves as the continent’s qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

The 2026 edition will be Morocco’s third consecutive time hosting the tournament, and Nigeria arrive as the reigning champions. WAFCON 2024 was held in July 2025.

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