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WAFCON 2026 has marked a major turning point for African women’s football, with record prize money, a bigger tournament format and stronger competition highlighting the game’s rapid growth across the continent.
The tournament in Morocco has expanded from 12 to 16 teams, bringing together a record 413 players and raising the level of competition.
One of the biggest moments came when Tanzania stunned defending champions South Africa 2-1, with substitute Hasnath Ubamba scoring an 86th-minute winner in Casablanca.
The result emphasises the growing competitiveness of women’s football in Africa, with more nations closing the gap on the continent’s traditional powerhouses.
South Africa coach Desiree Ellis acknowledged the shift before the match.
“The dynamics have changed. There is no margin for error,” Ellis said.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe said investment in women’s football is key to the future of the sport in Africa.
“Women’s football is essential for the future of our continent. We must continue investing in our players, coaches and competitions because the future of African football depends on giving women the opportunities they deserve,” he said.
CAF has doubled the winners’ prize to $2 million and increased the total prize fund to a record $5.8 million, the highest in the tournament’s history.
The stakes are also higher, with the four semi-finalists earning automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Morocco has used the tournament to showcase its investment in football infrastructure, elite academies and player development as it prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA Men’s World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.
The tournament has also highlighted emerging talent, including 15-year-old Elizabeth Chenge of Tanzania, the youngest player at WAFCON 2026, while veterans such as Gabrielle Aboudi Onguéné of Cameroon continue to set records.
CAF has expanded the competition’s global broadcast reach, with matches now available across Europe, Asia and Latin America, giving African players greater international exposure.
With stronger teams, increased investment and growing global interest, WAFCON 2026 is widely seen as a landmark tournament for the future of women’s football in Africa.
