The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) will expand from 12 to 16 teams starting with the 2026 edition, reinstating four traditional powerhouses — Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Egypt — to the tournament.

In a statement released on November 3, CAF said its Executive Committee approved the expansion to “strengthen women’s football and promote inclusivity across Africa.” The decision follows the completion of qualification under the previous 12-team format, which saw some leading nations miss out.

To fill the additional spots, CAF explained that “the four best-ranked teams according to the current FIFA Women’s World Ranking, among those eliminated in the final qualifying round, will be selected” for the expanded 16-team lineup.

As a result, Cameroon (66th globally), Côte d’Ivoire (71st), Mali (79th), and Egypt (95th) have been reinstated. Cameroon, the Indomitable Lionesses, were previously eliminated by Algeria, while Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Egypt had lost narrowly to Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, and Senegal, respectively.

The expanded format aims to create broader opportunities for emerging nations and elevate the level of competition across the continent.

Qualified teams now include holders Nigeria, former champions South Africa and Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia, alongside the host nation, Morocco. This edition also serves as the African qualifier for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with the top four finishers earning spots.

Morocco will host the Women’s Cup of Nations for the third time, coinciding with their hosting of the men’s Africa Cup of Nations from December 22 to January 18, featuring 24 teams.