The Confederation of African Football has announced a historic increase in prize money for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, with the tournament winners now set to receive $2 million, marking another significant milestone in the governing body’s efforts to strengthen women’s football across the continent.
The announcement comes just days before the expanded 16 team tournament kicks off in Morocco, where Africa’s best women’s national teams will compete for continental glory from July 25 to August 16. The latest financial boost reflects CAF’s continued commitment to raising the profile of women’s football and rewarding the growing competitiveness of the competition.
Under the new reward structure, the champions will earn $2 million, representing a 100 percent increase from the $1 million awarded to the previous winners. It is the second consecutive year that CAF has significantly increased the tournament’s prize money, having raised the winners’ reward from $500,000 to $1 million before the last edition.
CAF also confirmed that the total prize fund has risen from $3.475 million to $5.8 million, an increase of approximately 67 percent. The revised financial package ensures that more participating nations will benefit from improved funding, helping federations invest further in player welfare, technical development and grassroots football.
The runners up will now receive $750,000, reflecting a 50 percent increase, while the third placed team will also receive a substantially improved financial reward. Every nation participating in the tournament will be guaranteed $150,000 in participation funding, up from the previous allocation of $125,000.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe described the increase as part of the organization’s broader vision to accelerate the growth of women’s football across Africa. Since the current CAF administration assumed office, the prize money for the tournament winners has increased dramatically from $200,000 to $2 million, representing an overall rise of 900 percent. During the same period, the total competition prize fund has expanded by 495 percent, underlining CAF’s determination to make African women’s football more competitive and financially sustainable.
The decision has been welcomed by players, coaches and football stakeholders, many of whom have long advocated for greater investment in the women’s game. Increased prize money is expected to provide stronger financial incentives for national associations while encouraging governments and private sponsors to invest more heavily in women’s football development.
The timing of the announcement is particularly significant as Morocco prepares to host the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the third consecutive time. The 2026 edition will also be the first to feature 16 teams, following CAF’s decision to expand the tournament from 12 nations in response to the rapid growth of women’s football across the continent.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons, the most successful team in the history of the competition, will be among the favorites to challenge for the title. The record prize money offers additional motivation as the nine time African champions seek to add another continental crown to their impressive legacy.
Other leading contenders, including hosts Morocco, South Africa, Zambia and Ghana, will also be aiming to capitalize on the increased financial rewards while pursuing continental success.
Beyond the monetary benefits, the latest announcement sends a strong message about the future of women’s football in Africa. The improved rewards recognize the rising quality of the competition and the growing popularity of the women’s game among supporters across the continent.
Over the past decade, African women’s football has experienced remarkable progress, with more players securing contracts in Europe’s top leagues and national teams producing increasingly competitive performances on the global stage. CAF believes enhanced investment will accelerate that growth by improving standards both on and off the pitch.
As the countdown to the tournament continues, excitement is building for what promises to be one of the most competitive editions of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. With record prize money on offer, expanded participation and increasing international attention, the 2026 championship is expected to mark another major step forward for women’s football in Africa.
