Kinshasa, 5 October 2025 – The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has unveiled groundbreaking changes to the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), confirming an expansion to 16 teams for the 2026 finals in Morocco. This decision marks a 70% increase in participating nations since the tournament's revival in 2022.

Key Developments:

• Qualification Overhaul: Preliminary rounds will now include three stages instead of two
• Increased Opportunities: 11 nations will compete for 4 remaining slots in final qualifying phase
• Financial Growth: Total prize money surged to $3.45M in 2024, with champions Nigeria earning $1M

Historical Context:

Caf President Patrice Motsepe emphasized:

"This expansion reflects our commitment to creating professional pathways for African women footballers. Equal investment in infrastructure and player development remains our priority."

Strategic Impacts:

• Enhanced continental competitiveness
• Improved commercial opportunities for sponsors
• Pressure on host Morocco to upgrade facilities

With qualifying matches beginning in March 2026, football analysts predict intense competition from emerging powers like Zambia and South Africa, while traditional giants Nigeria and Cameroon prepare for renewed rivalries.