CAF increases WAFCON winners' prize to $2 million ahead of 2026 tournament
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a substantial increase in the prize money for the 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with the winners now set to receive a record USD 2 million.
The announcement, made ahead of the start of the continental showpiece, underscores CAF's continued commitment to the growth and professionalisation of women's football across Africa.
The champions' prize has been increased by 100 per cent, rising from USD 1 million to USD 2 million, while the tournament's total prize fund has also received a significant boost, increasing by 67 percent from USD 3.475 million to USD 5.8 million.
CAF also confirmed improved financial rewards for the other top-performing teams. The runners-up will now earn USD 750,000, representing a 50 per cent increase, while the team finishing in third place will receive a 43 per cent increase in prize money.
In addition, each of the 16 participating national teams will receive USD 150,000 in participation funding, up by USD 25,000 from the USD 125,000 allocated during the previous edition.
CAF highlighted the remarkable growth in financial investment since the current leadership assumed office. During that period, the winners' prize has risen by 900 per cent, from USD 200,000 to USD 2 million, while the tournament's overall prize fund has increased by 495 percent, from USD 975,000 to USD 5.8 million.
The governing body also pointed to the expansion of the competition itself, with the number of participating teams doubling from eight to 16, reflecting the rapid development of women's football across the continent.
The 2026 WAFCON will feature 16 nations divided into four groups.
Hosts Morocco headline Group A alongside Algeria, Senegal and Kenya, while Group B consists of South Africa, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Tanzania.
Defending champions Nigeria lead Group C, where they will face Zambia, Egypt and tournament debutants Malawi.
Group D features Ghana, who will battle Cameroon, Mali and Cape Verde for a place in the knockout stages.
The tournament will officially 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.