CAF Doubles WAFCON Winners' Prize Money to $2 Million

The Confederation of African Football has doubled the prize money for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The new amount is now $2 million, up from $1 million. This change comes just before the 2026 WAFCON in Morocco, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

This year’s tournament will be historic as it features 16 teams for the first time. Morocco will host the event from July 25 to August 16.

Last year, CAF raised the winners' prize from $500,000 by 100 percent. The total prize fund also grew by 45 percent to $3.475 million.

A year later, the overall prize fund rose again by 67 percent, increasing from $3.475 million to $5.8 million. The runners-up will now get $750,000, which is a 50 percent increase. The prize for the third-placed team also increased by 43 percent.

Each of the 16 teams taking part will now receive $150,000 in participation money. This is an increase of $25,000 from the $125,000 given in the last edition.

CAF stated, "Since the current CAF leadership assumed office, the prize money of the winner has increased by 900 percent from $200,000 to $2 million and the total prize money has increased by 495 percent from $975,000 to $5.8 million." This statement was released on their website on Wednesday.

The tournament will take place in two cities: Rabat and Casablanca. Hosts Morocco lead Group A, which also includes Algeria, Senegal, and Kenya. All of their matches will be in Rabat.

Former champions South Africa are in Group B in Casablanca. They will compete against Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, and Tanzania. Nigeria, the record 10-time champions, are in Group C. They will face Zambia, Egypt, and Malawi in Rabat.

Group D, played in Casablanca, features Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, and Cape Verde. The four teams that reach the semi-finals will qualify automatically for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The four teams that lose in the quarter-finals will have a chance to compete in intercontinental playoffs.