2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations expands to 16 teams, champion prize rises to $2 million

Expanded Format

For the first time, the competition brings together 16 teams, compared to 12 in the two previous editions and only 8 in 2018. This expansion reflects the African Football Confederation's (CAF) desire to offer more national teams the opportunity to participate at the highest continental level and to support the development of women's football in Africa.

Increased Prize Money

The champion team will now receive $2 million, up from $1 million in 2024 and $500,000 in 2018. Meanwhile, the overall prize pool has increased by 67%, rising from $3.47 million to $5.8 million.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe welcomed this progress, stating:

"We have increased the prizes for the winner of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations by 900%."

World Cup Qualification at Stake

This edition carries significant sporting stakes:

• The four semi-finalists will secure their qualification for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil.
• Two additional teams will have the opportunity to qualify through intercontinental playoffs.
• The African contingent could thus increase from four to six teams, a step forward for the visibility of African women's football on the international stage.

Lingering Concerns

Despite these advances, several limitations remain, notably the successive postponements of the last two editions of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, which raise questions about the actual priority given to women's football within CAF.