The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has doubled the winners’ prize money for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) by 100 percent, raising it from $1 million to $2 million.
This bold move comes just days before the expanded 2026 tournament begins in Morocco.
Morocco hosts the competition from July 25 to August 16, 2026. Sixteen teams compete for the first time in the tournament’s history.
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CAF continues its strong commitment under current leadership. Last year, officials raised the winners’ prize from $500,000 by 100 percent and lifted the total prize fund by 45 percent to $3.475 million.
Now, they increase the overall prize fund by another 67 percent to $5.8 million.Runners-up claim $750,000 a 50 percent jump while third place receives a 43 percent boost. Every participating team secures $150,000 in participation funding, up 20 percent ($25,000) from the previous $125,000.
“Since the current CAF leadership assumed office, the prize money of the winner has increased by 900 percent from $200,000 to $2m and the total prize money has increased by 495 percent from $975,000 to $5.8m,” CAF proudly stated on it website.
2026 WAFCON Groups
The draw sets up exciting clashes across four groups:
Group : Algeria, Kenya, Morocco (hosts), Senegal
Group B: Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Tanzania
Group C: Egypt, Malawi, Nigeria (defending champions), Zambia
Group D: Cape Verde, Cameroon, Ghana, Mali
These groupings promise competitive battles, with debutants like Malawi and Cape Verde injecting fresh energy.
Historic WAFCON Winners
Nigeria dominates the competition’s history with 10 titles, showcasing unmatched excellence:
1998: Nigeria
2000: Nigeria
2002: Nigeria
2004: Nigeria
2006: Nigeria
2008: Equatorial Guinea
2010: Nigeria
2012: Equatorial Guinea
2014: Nigeria
2018: Nigeria
2018: Nigeria
2022: South Africa
2024/2025: Nigeria (defending champions)
Equatorial Guinea lifted the trophy twice (2008, 2012), while South Africa claimed their first title in 2022 by stunning hosts Morocco 2-1 in the final. Nigeria’s Super Falcons remain the benchmark, having triumphed in dramatic fashion recently.
