The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that the next Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will feature 16 teams, up from the previous 12. The tournament is scheduled to take place in Morocco from March 17 to April 3.
The expansion means that Cameroon, Egypt, Ivory Coast, and Mali will join the teams that had already secured qualification. This move aims to promote greater participation and competitiveness in African women’s football.
CAF’s Decision to Expand the Tournament
The decision to expand the tournament from 12 to 16 teams was made by the CAF Executive Committee, reflecting a broader trend to improve and develop women’s football across Africa. The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is a prestigious tournament, serving as the continental championship for national teams and a key competition for African women’s football. The change will likely increase the visibility and quality of the competition, providing more nations with the opportunity to showcase their talent on a major stage.
Impact on African Women’s Football
Increasing the number of teams in the tournament allows more African nations to compete at the continental level, strengthening the growth of women’s football across the continent. With more teams involved, there will be greater exposure for the sport, which is expected to encourage more investment and youth participation in women’s football.
Countries Added:
- Cameroon
- Egypt
- Ivory Coast
- Mali
These teams will now have the opportunity to compete in the prestigious tournament, adding more competition and excitement to the event.
Qualification Process and Increased Representation
Previously, only 12 teams were able to qualify, and now with the addition of four more spots, the tournament will have greater representation from different parts of the continent. The move comes at a time when African women’s football is experiencing significant growth, with increasing numbers of young girls taking up the sport, and more African nations investing in the development of women’s football.
Tournaments to Look Forward to
- WAFCON 2026 will also benefit from this expansion, as it paves the way for more teams to be eligible for future tournaments.
- The Morocco 2025 edition will be the first to feature 16 teams, adding even more excitement to the already highly anticipated competition.
Women’s Football in Africa: A Rising Power
The rise of women’s football in Africa has been steady over the past decade, and tournaments like WAFCON have helped to elevate the game. African teams, including Nigeria and South Africa, have been regulars at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, with South Africa even qualifying for the last two World Cup tournaments. By increasing the number of participating teams, the WAFCON will help boost the level of competition and further improve the chances of African teams performing well at global tournaments.
The Future of African Women’s Football
The increased number of participants in WAFCON aligns with the goal of improving the standards of women’s football across the continent. This is in line with the FIFA Women’s World Cup expansion as well, which is set to increase the number of teams from 24 to 32. For Africa, a tournament like WAFCON serves as an essential stepping stone for its players to gain experience on an international stage and improve their competitive level.
This expansion is a signal that CAF is focused on ensuring that women’s football receives the attention and resources it deserves in Africa. It also opens the door for more commercial partnerships and sponsorships to flow into the women’s game, further raising the profile of African women’s football globally.
The next tournament in March 2026 will surely be an exciting one, as more teams will compete for the top prize and to secure a place in international competitions.
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