The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a significant increase in prize money for the 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), underlining its continued commitment to the growth and development of women’s football across the continent.
CAF confirmed on Tuesday that the winners of this year’s tournament will receive USD 2 million, representing a 100 per cent increase from the previous edition.
The move forms part of a broader enhancement of the competition’s financial rewards, with the total prize fund rising by 67 per cent, from USD 3.475 million to USD 5.8 million.
The runners-up will now earn USD 750,000, a 50 per cent increase, while the prize money for the third-placed team has also been increased by 43 per cent.
In another major boost for participating nations, each of the 16 qualified teams will receive USD 150,000 in participation funding.
This represents a 20 per cent increase from the USD 125,000 awarded to teams at the previous tournament.
CAF highlighted the remarkable growth in investment in the competition since the current administration assumed office.
During that period, the winners’ prize money has surged by 900 per cent, rising from USD 200,000 to USD 2 million, while the overall prize fund has increased by 495 per cent, from USD 975,000 to USD 5.8 million.
The continental governing body also pointed to the expansion of the tournament itself, with the number of participating nations doubling from eight to 16 teams, reflecting the rapid progress of women’s football across Africa.
The 2026 WAFCON will feature 16 teams divided into four groups.
Hosts Morocco headline Group A, alongside Algeria, Senegal, and Kenya. Group B comprises South Africa, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, and Tanzania.
Defending champions Nigeria will face Zambia, Egypt, and tournament debutants Malawi in Group C, while Ghana has been drawn in Group D together with Cameroon, Mali, and Cape Verde.
The tournament will get underway on 26 July, with Algeria taking on Senegal in the opening fixture. The group stage will run until 6 August, before the quarter-finals are played on 8 and 9 August.
The semi-finals are scheduled for 12 August, with the champions set to be crowned in the final on 16 August.
The substantial increase in prize money is expected to further enhance the competitiveness of the tournament while providing greater financial support for participating national associations, reinforcing CAF’s drive to elevate women’s football to new heights across the African continent.
