By Dorcas Francis Koji
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a historic increase in prize money for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), doubling the winners’ reward to $2 million as part of its continued commitment to developing women’s football across the continent.
The decision comes just days before the 2026 WAFCON kicks off in Morocco, where 16 nations will compete in the tournament’s expanded format for the first time in the competition’s history.
Morocco will host the championship from July 25 to August 16, with matches taking place in Rabat and Casablanca.
The latest adjustment marks the second consecutive year CAF has significantly increased the tournament’s financial rewards. In the previous edition, the winners’ prize was raised from $500,000 to $1 million. This year’s announcement doubles that figure again, taking it to $2 million.
CAF has also increased the tournament’s overall prize fund by 67 per cent, from $3.475 million to $5.8 million, reinforcing its efforts to elevate the status and competitiveness of women’s football in Africa.
Under the revised prize structure, the runners-up will receive $750,000, representing a 50 per cent increase, while the third-placed team will earn 43 per cent more than in the previous edition.
Each of the 16 participating teams will also benefit from increased participation grants, with every nation set to receive $150,000, up from $125,000 in the last tournament.
CAF described the latest increase as another milestone in its long-term investment in the women’s game.
“Since the current CAF leadership assumed office, the prize money of the winner has increased by 900 per cent, from $200,000 to $2 million, while the total prize fund has risen by 495 per cent, from $975,000 to $5.8 million,” the governing body said in a statement.
The expanded competition promises to be one of the most competitive editions in WAFCON history.
Hosts Morocco headline Group A, where they will face Algeria, Senegal and Kenya, with all group matches scheduled to be played in Rabat.
Defending champions South Africa will compete in Group B alongside Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Tanzania in Casablanca.
Record 10-time African champions Nigeria have been drawn in Group C, where the Super Falcons will face Zambia, Egypt and Malawi as they pursue an unprecedented 11th WAFCON title.
Group D features Ghana, Cameroon, Mali and Cape Verde, with all fixtures to be staged in Casablanca.
Beyond continental glory, the stakes are even higher, as the tournament also serves as a qualification pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The four semi-finalists will qualify automatically for the global showpiece, while the four losing quarter-finalists will advance to the intercontinental play-offs for another opportunity to secure World Cup qualification.
CAF believes the increased financial incentives will encourage greater investment in women’s football by member associations while providing stronger motivation for players and teams competing for continental honours.
With record prize money, an expanded format and World Cup qualification at stake, the 2026 WAFCON is shaping up to be the biggest and most lucrative edition in the history of the competition.
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