Key Takeaways
- The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has doubled the winners’ prize money for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) to $2 million
- The overall prize fund has increased by 67 per cent to $5.8 million
- Participation funding for each team has risen to $150,000, a 20 per cent increase
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has made a significant move to boost the women’s football scene in Africa by doubling the winners’ prize money for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) from $1 million to $2 million ahead of the final between Malawi and Cameroon.
This increase comes as CAF continues to raise the financial rewards for the women’s competition, with the 2026 WAFCON in Morocco featuring 16 teams for the first time in the tournament’s history. Morocco is hosting the competition from July 25 to August 16, marking a significant milestone for African women’s football.
Prize Money Breakdown
A year after increasing the winners’ prize from $500,000 to $1 million, CAF has now raised it by another 100 per cent to $2 million. The overall prize fund has also increased by 67 per cent, rising from $3.475 million to $5.8 million.
The runners-up will receive $750,000, representing a 50 per cent increase, while the prize money for the third-placed team has gone up by 43 per cent. CAF has also increased the participation funding for each of the 16 teams to $150,000, up from $125,000 in the previous edition.
The growth in the competition’s financial rewards is a testament to CAF’s commitment to women’s football development in Africa. Highlighting this growth, CAF said in a statement that the winners’ prize money had increased by 900 per cent since the current leadership took office.
Why This Matters
The increased prize money adds further incentive ahead of the final, with Malawi and Cameroon battling for the WAFCON title and the $2 million winners’ cheque, marking a significant step forward for women’s football in Africa. This development is expected to promote the growth of women’s football in the continent, attracting more talented players and increasing the sport’s popularity.