CAF has officially approved the expansion of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) from 12 to 16 teams, beginning with the next edition set to take place in Morocco from March 17 to April 3, 2026, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
As the qualification phase for the 2026 tournament has already concluded, CAF’s Executive Committee has also endorsed a selection mechanism to determine the four additional teams that will complete the expanded lineup.
According to the current FIFA Women’s World Rankings, the four highest-ranked teams eliminated in the final round of qualifiers have been chosen to fill these remaining spots.
The selected nations are Cameroon (66th), Cote d’Ivoire (71st), Mali (79th), and Egypt (95th).
They will join the 12 teams that have already secured qualification: Morocco (host nation), Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi, Algeria, Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Cape Verde, South Africa and Senegal.
CAF stated that this decision aligns with its broader strategic vision to enhance the competitiveness and development of women’s football across the continent.
Expanding the tournament will provide more nations the opportunity to compete on Africa’s biggest stage, fostering growth, exposure, and inclusivity within the women’s game.
The TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON 2026 will not only showcase the rising talent in African women’s football but also serve as the continental qualifying event for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, further emphasizing its importance in the global football calendar.
By Oluwadamilola Olaleye