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El Samuels: MBN360 News
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a significant expansion of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), increasing the tournament from 12 to 16 teams for the 2026 edition. This landmark decision underscores the rapid growth and inclusivity of women’s football on the continent.
The four additional teams joining the competition are Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Mali, and Egypt, who were selected based on their rankings as the highest-placed teams eliminated in the final qualifying round. They will join the hosts Morocco and 11 other qualified nations: Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi, Algeria, Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Cape Verde, South Africa, and Senegal.
The 2026 WAFCON tournament is scheduled to take place from March 17 to April 3, 2026, in Morocco. Notably, this new schedule aligns WAFCON with the men’s Africa Cup of Nations but creates a scheduling clash with the Olympic Games, where both Nigeria and Zambia are also competing.
CAF’s decision to expand the tournament reflects its commitment to promoting women’s football and supporting the sport’s evolution in Africa through expanded tournaments and increased exposure for more nations. By increasing the number of participating teams, CAF aims to provide more opportunities for female athletes and foster greater interest and growth in the women’s game on the continent.
The reigning champions, Nigeria, won the 2024 edition held in July after a postponement caused by shifting the competition to a summer schedule. With this expansion, more nations will have the chance to compete at a high level and showcase their talent, competitiveness, and commitment to women’s football.
