The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has announced a significant expansion of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), increasing the number of participating teams from 12 to 16 starting from the 2026 edition. This decision marks a pivotal moment for women’s football on the continent, reflecting Caf’s commitment to fostering growth and inclusivity in the sport. The upcoming 2025 tournament in Morocco will still feature 12 teams, with the qualifying process already in its final round. However, the expansion will necessitate an additional preliminary round, where 11 nations will compete for the remaining four spots. Further details are expected to be unveiled following discussions at Caf’s executive committee meeting in Kinshasa. Since its inception in 1998, Wafcon has evolved from an eight-team competition to its current 12-team format, which resumed in 2022 after a hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Caf’s investment in women’s football has been substantial, with this year’s tournament in Morocco seeing a 45% increase in the prize pool to $3.45 million. Nigeria, the reigning champions, were awarded $1 million for securing their record-extending 10th title. Caf President Patrice Motsepe expressed optimism about the progress made in women’s football, emphasizing the importance of fair compensation and career opportunities for female athletes. ‘I am pleased with the progress we’ve made in women’s African football,’ Motsepe stated. ‘Part of my starting point is making sure [men and women] are paid well and they can make a career out of football. I can assure you women’s football will continue to improve because that is an area we are focusing on a lot.’