CAF has approved the expansion of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations from 12 to 16 teams.
The new format begins with the 2026 edition in Morocco to boost women’s football growth.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially approved the expansion of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) from 12 to 16 teams.
According to a statement from the football body, the new format will take effect from the next edition of the tournament, which will be hosted by Morocco in 2026. CAF said the decision was made to encourage wider participation and promote the growth of women’s football across the continent.
So far, defending champions Nigeria’s Super Falcons, hosts Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses, and 10 other teams have secured qualification for the 2026 WAFCON finals. The remaining four slots were filled by the top-ranked nations among those eliminated in the final qualifying stage, based on FIFA Women’s World Rankings.
Cameroon, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, and Egypt have now been added to the list of qualified teams. The 2026 WAFCON will be played from March 17 to April 3 and will also serve as the African qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
