The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has made a major commitment to women's football in Africa by announcing a significant increase in the prize money for the TotalEnergies Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). The tournament winners will now receive a record $2 million, double the amount awarded in the previous edition.
During a press conference held on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe said the decision reflects a clear ambition: to improve the financial conditions of players, coaches, and technical staff, while giving new momentum to women's football across the continent.
The tournament's total prize fund has also risen substantially, increasing from $3.475 million to $5.8 million, a 67% increase. The runners-up will now receive $750,000, up 50%, while the third-placed team will see its prize money increase by 43%.
Each of the 16 teams qualified for the final tournament will receive a participation grant of $150,000, representing a 20% increase compared with the previous edition.
According to Patrice Motsepe, the increase reflects CAF's commitment to further professionalizing women's football in Africa and making it more attractive to players, national federations, sponsors, and broadcasters.
"The increase in prize money should help improve the incomes of players, coaches, and technical staff," the CAF President said, adding that African women's football continues to grow stronger and is gradually moving closer to international standards.
The initiative also coincides with a major expansion of the competition. The number of participating teams has increased from 8 to 16, underscoring CAF's determination to broaden the reach and visibility of women's football across Africa.
Originally scheduled to take place from March 17 to April 3, the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations will now be held in Morocco from July 25 to August 16, 2026, with the ambition of writing a new chapter in the history of African women's football.
