The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Wednesday announced a 100% increase in prize money for the winner of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tournament.
The tournament which also serves as a 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil qualifier kicks off in Rabat on Sunday and goes until 16 August 2026.
The four semi-finalists at the event will automatically qualify for the global showpiece.
The tournament is not only big in terms of the stakes but also there has been four teams added to the roaster making it the biggest WAFCON yet with 16 national teams.
On Wednesday, CAF president Patrice Motsepe confirmed substantial increases in prize money for the winners and runners-up of the tournament.
The winners of the competition will bag $2 million (R33 million), 100% more than the victors of the 2024 edition, which was played in 2025.
The runners-up purse has increased by 50% and they will now receive $750 000 (R12.4 million), while the prize money for third place increased by 43% to $500 000 (R8.2 million). Last but not least, the participation fee for all the 16 national teams has increased by 20% to $150 000 (R2.5 million).
The latest increases in prize money confirm a 900% increase for the winners under the Motsepe leadership of CAF, while the overall prize money pay-out for all participants has increased by 495% from $975 000 (R16.1 million) to $5.8 million (R96 million).