CAF
Picnews
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced an expansion of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) from 12 to 16 teams, starting with the 2026 edition in Morocco. This decision aims to strengthen women’s football and promote inclusivity across all regions of the continent. The four additional teams will be selected based on their FIFA Women’s World Rankings among those eliminated in the final qualifying round.
The 2026 WAFCON is scheduled to take place in Morocco from March 17 to April 3, 2026, and will serve as the African qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The top four teams from those eliminated in the final qualifying round have been selected to complete the list of participants, joining the 12 teams that secured qualification earlier. These teams include:
– *Qualified Teams:*
– *Hosts:* Morocco
– *Previously Qualified Teams:* Nigeria (defending champions), South Africa (past champions), Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia
– *Additional Teams:*
– *Reinstated Teams:* Cameroon (66th in the FIFA ranking), Cote d’Ivoire (71), Mali (79), and Egypt (95)
The expansion is expected to increase competition and provide more opportunities for national teams to showcase their talent on the continental stage. The 2026 edition promises to be one of the most competitive yet, with traditional powerhouses like Nigeria, South Africa, and Ghana facing stiff competition from emerging nations. The tournament’s format will also see the top four teams qualify directly for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
CAF’s decision to expand WAFCON reflects its commitment to strengthening women’s football and promoting inclusivity across Africa. The move is part of CAF’s strategic objective to boost competitiveness and quicken the growth of women’s football throughout the continent. With Morocco also hosting the men’s Cup of Nations finals from December 22 to January 18, the continent is set to witness a thrilling display of footballing talent.
