In a communiqué released on November 3, CAF confirmed that its Executive Committee had ratified the enlargement to deepen inclusivity and competitiveness across the continent’s women’s game. The governing body said the decision was taken after careful review of the qualification process, which had excluded several high-ranking teams despite strong performances.
To ensure fairness, CAF announced that “the four best-ranked teams according to the current FIFA Women’s World Ranking, among those eliminated in the final qualifying round, will be selected to complete the list of 16 participating teams.”
Under this new arrangement, Cameroon (ranked 66th globally), Côte d’Ivoire (71st), Mali (79th), and Egypt (95th) have been reinstated to join the 12 teams that secured qualification on the pitch.
A Lifeline for Africa’s Traditional Contenders
The expansion comes as a lifeline for several continental heavyweights that were on the verge of missing consecutive editions of WAFCON. Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses, a permanent fixture in African women’s football, were eliminated by Algeria on a 3–1 aggregate — a result that had threatened to sideline them for a second straight tournament. Côte d’Ivoire, meanwhile, narrowly lost to Burkina Faso, while Mali and Egypt fell to Equatorial Guinea and Senegal, respectively.
CAF described the reform as part of a broader strategy to “strengthen the women’s football ecosystem” and widen opportunities for participation across member associations. By increasing the number of teams, the competition will not only grow in scale but also give emerging nations a chance to measure themselves against the continent’s elite.
“This decision reinforces CAF’s commitment to developing women’s football and promoting inclusivity across Africa,” the statement read.
Expanded Tournament, Broader Opportunities
The 2026 WAFCON, to be hosted by Morocco, will now feature a total of 16 teams — 12 that qualified through the standard route, plus the four reinstated sides. Morocco will be staging the tournament for the third time, but this edition carries extra significance as it doubles as the African qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The top four teams from WAFCON 2026 will secure automatic World Cup berths.
Teams that have already sealed qualification include Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Zambia, Algeria, Kenya, Senegal, Cape Verde, Malawi, Burkina Faso, Tanzania, and Morocco (hosts).
The reinstated nations — Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Egypt — now complete the 16-team lineup, marking the largest-ever participation in the tournament’s history.
Morocco’s Double Hosting Duty
Morocco’s role as host nation underscores its growing stature in African football administration. Beyond the women’s championship, the country will also host the men’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals from December 22, 2025, to January 18, 2026, featuring 24 teams.
The back-to-back tournaments are expected to strengthen Morocco’s position as a continental hub for elite football and provide vital preparation for its co-hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.
A Turning Point for Women’s Football in Africa
With the new format, CAF aims to mirror the global evolution of women’s football, aligning WAFCON with similar expansions seen in major international tournaments. The inclusion of four additional teams not only restores balance to the competition but also signals a renewed push to professionalize and globalize the women’s game across Africa.
For teams like Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire, the reinstatement offers a second chance to reclaim their places among the continent’s best. For newcomers such as Malawi, Cape Verde, and Tanzania, the expanded field presents a historic opportunity to compete on the biggest African stage.
As preparations begin for 2026, CAF’s move is being widely viewed as a step toward equitable growth, competitive depth, and wider representation—a moment many hope will define a new era for women’s football in Africa.